This April, we would like to raise awareness about an emerging threat to our cherished oak trees: the Oak Processionary Moth (OPM). This species of moth, characterised by its caterpillars that nest on oak trees, poses significant risks to both the health of our trees and the well-being of humans and animals. Understanding OPM: Read more »
By Jess Bradley, Assistant Woodland Manager Recently, we hosted a tree planting event in one of the woodlands managed by Nicholsons. Dai, Jess, Tom and Kieran from the Nicholsons Forestry team hosted the two day event where 1,000 native trees were planted. The planting day was in collaboration with Arval, a car hire company Read more »
Article prepared by Rachel Crapper, Assistant Ecological Consultant Importance of ecosystem health We all benefit from a well-functioning and health ecosystem which improves water and air quality and helps limit disease and stabilize the climate. How do beavers help? Ecosystem health Beavers have an important role to play Read more »
As part of the Spring Budget 2024, the Government has announced an extension to the existing scope of Agricultural Property Relief. This will now include all environmental land management schemes, covering the Sustainable Farming Incentive, Countryside Stewardship (and other stewardship schemes) and Landscape Recovery, as well as the England Woodland Creation Offer and other Read more »
The Maasai Mara is world famous for wildlife and is a vital source of tourist income. Yet the Mara is at risk. The Mara River is affected by deforestation in its upper basin with increased run off, huge variability in flow, increased soil erosion and pollution. Surrounding landscapes are also being degraded due to Read more »
I first joined Nicholsons back in the summer of 2016 on a placement year during my degree in Product Design at the University of Bournemouth. After I completed my studies, I returned as an assistant within the team and have continued to progress through different roles: Studio Manager, Garden Designer to Senior Designer, Head Read more »
I have known Nicholsons all my life, having grown up in the area in local villages with my parents still down the road. I started at Nicholsons back in the summer of 2016 on a placement year during my degree in Product Design at the University of Bournemouth. Our Managing Director, Liz, was brave Read more »
As gardeners, we are veterans of the biosecurity threat with more emerging pests and diseases arriving on our shores as each month passes. Last year, Dr Nicola Spence, the Chief Plant Health Officer, delivered a lecture at the Forestry Conference outlining the pests and diseases arriving in Britain to infect our native species. She Read more »
December is the month where the ‘big sleep’ typically starts for bats. They may have already started longer periods of physical inactivity referred to as ‘torpor’ during November depending on weather, temperatures and food availability. December typically sees the temperature getting colder and bats moving to their winter roosts, sometimes in small groups, but Read more »
Wood For The Trees is a series created by film-maker and outdoor educator Charly Le Marchant and Tom Barnes, who is the Managing Director of Vastern Timber. The series focus on the future of UK forests, covering topics such as rewilding, woodland creation, agroforestry, and much more. Our Managing Director, Liz Nicholson, recently contributed Read more »
Advice on how to achieve your ideal cottage garden from the Nicholsons Garden Design Studio. A cottage garden encapsulates our most romantic notions of English country gardens of the past: a winding gravel path through a colourful tapestry of flowers; a vegetable garden that promises to keep you busy in the kitchen or a Read more »
John Lockhart of Nicholsons and Kate Russell of Tellus Natural Capital Ltd explain what natural capital is and what opportunities it can offer to landowners. Why is Natural Capital Important? Despite the fact that natural capital is now common currency in the language of environmental policy and strategy, there is Read more »
By Jared Hutchings First and foremost, before cutting long grass, make sure there is no sign of sheltering wildlife. For example, reptiles, amphibians and mammals may hide out of site, even in small areas. Should you encounter any wildlife, walk through the area, making lots of noise and allow animals the opportunity to get Read more »
The introduction of water to your garden can support nature, create visual appeal, and establish a sense of calm. A water feature can punctuate outdoor spaces when positioned effectively, such as centrally in a courtyard, at the end of a path, or in a location that displays beautiful reflections. Being Read more »
By Ella Geden-Davies This year, we have curated a collection of ornamental trees within the nursery. With planting season soon approaching, browse the suggestions below to learn about their features and the ideal planting location to guarantee optimum health and longevity. Read more »
By Liz NicholsonChildhood memories of dens, treehouses and shepherd’s huts set the scene for often chasing the “home beyond the house walls”.In my case, the shepherd’s hut was the real deal, abandoned in a leafy beech woodland on a bucolic Cotswold estate. The shepherd’s hut of my childhood was scarce in its furnishings, bare in Read more »
On the 27th July 2023 DEFRA announced the indicative prices for statutory biodiversity credits: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/statutory-biodiversity-credit-prices#area-habitats Where biodiversity net gain credits are not able to be balanced on site, or off-set within land held by the developer, credits may be purchased from DEFRA’s “credit sales service” at a ratio of 2 credits per 1 biodiversity unit Read more »
“We are delighted to announce that John Lockhart has been granted approved assessor status for Building with Nature (BwN). Building with Nature is the UK’s first accreditation scheme that provides a robust benchmark for green infrastructure. The scheme is now becoming widely recognised and valued. It involves an independent evaluation against 12 identified standards, Read more »
