The Company

Maelor Forest Nurseries Limited is located at Fields Farm, Bronington on the Welsh Borders. We also have a nursery site based at Darnaway, Forres in the Scottish Highlands.  The nursery is part of the BSW Group and produces an extensive range of commercial forestry and native broadleaf species, marketing approximately 35 million trees a year to customers throughout the UK and Europe.

The Team

The Company has a strong management team and the support of an experienced workforce. Short lines of communication ensure prompt responses to customer requirements and the entire team is highly motivated towards giving every customer the level of satisfaction demanded.

A policy of continuous staff training, both externally and on-site encourages staff at all levels to improve plant handling skills. Maelor personnel also liaise with universities, research establishments, laboratories and colleges to gain up to the minute technical support and training. As a major local employer the Company also recognises its responsibilities for the welfare of its staff.

Technical Research

Maelor Forest Nurseries Limited has good contacts with many research institutions and advisory bodies. Our technical work aims to improve growing conditions on the nursery to produce a better quality plant and to ensure that this quality is maintained all down the line from despatch to planting out and beyond. Research and technical work is carried out in the following areas:

  • Tree breeding
  • Vegetative propagation of Improved Sitka
  • Spruce hybrids
  • Root Electrolyte Leakage testing
  • Pest and disease control on the nursery
  • Pest control after planting (eg reducing Hylobius damage)
  • Nursery husbandry techniques

Related Organisations

Maelor Forest Nurseries Ltd is a member of the following forestry and nursery trade organisations:

British Christmas Tree Growers Association

ConFor – Confederation of Forest Industries

Forestry Contractors Association

Founding member of the Conifer Breeding Co-operative

Future Trees Trust

Horticultural Trades Association

International Oak Society

International Plant Propagator's Society

National Farmers Union

North Wales Wildlife Trust

Reforesting Scotland

Royal Forestry Society

Royal Scottish Forestry Society

TFA – tenant farmers association

The professional development of individual staff at Maelor Forest Nurseries involves:

  • AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualification
  • BASIS certificate in crop protection (Commerical horticulture)
  • CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) qualification
  • CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) chartered fellow
  • Comprehensive NPTC pesticide training
  • FACTS – Fertiliser Advisors Certiication and Training Scheme
  • ICF (Associate Member of The Institute of Chartered Foresters)
  • ISTA (International seed testing association) associate membership
  • IUFRO (Associate Member of The International Union of Forest Research Organisations)
  • NRoSO (National Register of Spray Operators) membership