Irish Tree Centre and Young Nurseries

Booking

To book your place on this visit, please email brianodonnell68@gmail.com.

PGG visit to the Irish Tree Centre

The Irish Tree Centre was established in 1995. Its current area of production is 65 acres, stocking trees that grow well in northern Europe. Most of their trees support parkland design, larger properties and private gardens. They play a supporting role with clients on design, transport and, in some cases, installation.

The PGG visit in March comes at the busiest time of the year. This will give the best example of what happens on the other side of the garden wall, so to speak. They will demonstrate how they produce trees, the way they need to be handled and will talk about the development of a tree from selection through budding, grafting, training, transplanting, and finally rootballing.

Over the last 30 years trees in Ireland have grown in diversity. What was once exotic is now finding its place, like Dawn Redwoods, Persian Ironwoods, selections of Pines and there’s growing appreciation for the value of Oaks and the countryside’s most profuse flowering tree, the Hawthorn. Peader Collins is the owner and will lead the tour.

Young Nurseries

The story so far… The business was, founded in 1988, when Nuala, the owner, set up a small nursery growing and selling 9m perennials to gardening outlets across Munster. Her father and grandfather had been involved in horticulture going back as far as the 1920s. Over the next few years new product lines were added and the business grew.

Joe joined the business in 1994; with a strong engineering background he brought skills in construction and sales. In 1995 a business plan was put in place and the nursery expanded, specialising in perennials, alpines, herbs and grasses. Today they are operating on a five-acre site and are one of the leading Irish nurseries; their children Rachael and Joseph are planning the next phase of future development and continued success.

They supply local authorities, hotels and private estates with plants suitable for perennial schemes, focusing on biodiversity, pollinator-friendly, low-maintenance, etc. and can tailor a range of plants to suit specific needs of a client, e.g. spring garden, cutting garden, summer colour, etc. They also specialise in impulse plants for instant colour for high-profile events like weddings. They can also contract grow depending on the lead time.

Young Nurseries are Bord Bia Quality Assured and have won many awards over the years including ‘Grower of the Year’ and ‘Supplier of the Year’. It’s a biologically friendly approach to growing with minimal chemical intervention and an effective integrated pest management system in place. The specific recipe growing medium is a 35% reduced peat mix.

In terms of sustainability, there’s a fully automatic climate control system in place, and water is recycled through ebb and flood flooring; there has been investment in rainwater harvesting and storage tanks; forklift and tugs are battery operated, pots and labels are recyclable, and their next project is solar panel installation.

Programme

10.00am-1.00pm. Irish Tree Centre.
1.00-2.00pm. Lunch and travel: lunch can be bought at a selection of venues in Kildorrery between visits or bring a picnic. It’s approximately a 20-minute drive to Kilfinane from Kildorrery.
2.00-4.00pm. Young Nurseries.

Address and postcode

Irish Tree Centre, Kildorrery, Co Cork P67 K122
Young Nurseries Ltd Kilfinane, Co Limerick V35 YD34

Cost

There is no charge for this day. Remember to book your place early! To book your place on this visit, please email brianodonnell68@gmail.com.

Booking

To book your place on this visit, please email brianodonnell68@gmail.com.