Welcome to Ffynnon Trees!
Here at Ffynnon, we’ve been quietly building something special—a tree nursery that’s been taking root over the past year, thanks to support from the Shared Prosperity Fund. Now, I’d love to share what we’ve been working on, why it matters, and how we plan to grow it for the future of Ffynnon.
As Tree Nursery Coordinator for Coed Ffynnon, my mission is simple yet essential: to collect, propagate, and sell native trees—not just to serve the wider community but to meet Ffynnon’s own planting needs across our sites. Every tree we grow is sourced from local provenance (303/Southwest Wales), or as close to home as possible. Whenever I can, I personally collect seeds from Ffynnon land, our farm, or other sites locally and always with permission.
Why Does This Matter?
Our work supports a thriving, resilient environment. Here’s why growing local, native trees is crucial:
1. Tree Health & Biosecurity
Look around—many local ash trees are suffering, and that’s just one example of the impact of globalised tree trade. Imported trees often carry pests and diseases that devastate native populations. Growing trees locally drastically reduces these risks and helps strengthen regional nurseries in the market.
2. Climate Resilience
The fewer sources we have for tree seeds and saplings, the less genetic diversity we end up with. This weakens our tree populations when faced with extreme weather events and environmental shifts. Small, local nurseries play a crucial role in preserving diversity, ensuring future forests can adapt and survive.
3. Natural Adaptation
Many trees sold as “native” in the UK originate from strains adapted to different climates—for instance, blackthorn and hawthorn from Eastern Europe flowering too early for proper pollination here. Additionally, trees raised in local soil conditions—exposed to seasonal challenges like floods and droughts—develop stronger resilience and even pass that adaptive strength onto their offspring.
4. Microbiome Connections
Trees thrive when grown in living soil—rich with native fungi and bacteria that improve nutrient uptake and overall health. Large commercial nurseries often rely on sterile substrates and artificial fertilizers, weakening trees before they even get planted. Local nurseries, however, grow trees within the right microbiome, giving them the best possible start.
Growing into the Future
For all these reasons, Coed Ffynnon is committed to producing healthy, locally adapted trees—for our own use and for sale in the coming years! Stay tuned to Ffynnon for updates on our progress, and to find out when trees will be available.
Want to learn more about tree propagation and growing techniques? E-mail Jo to express your interest—I’ll be hosting knowledge-sharing events in the near future!
Let’s grow something amazing together. ????✨