Our Work 

The Community Tree Nursery is a one-of-a-kind tree nursery operating within the ancient Sherwood Forest and surrounding areas, from where we collect and grow native tree and plant seeds. The resultant trees are planted locally to enhance green spaces across the district and beyond, involving local people and groups in planting and caring for them through volunteering sessions and community action days.  

Pests and diseases recognition 

At the Sherwood Forest Trust we recognise the increasing risk to the forestry sector and wider environment held by pests, diseases, pathogens and invasive species.  

We will comply with best biosecurity practices and remain up to date with the policies around plant health and biosecurity measures to minimise the risk of the introduction of harmful diseases.
Our work at the community tree nursery aims to enhance the local environment by collecting locally sourced seeds from mostly ancient and veteran trees that fall within the ancient Sherwood Forest area, with a focus of growing trees with local genetics/ characteristics opposed, as opposed to importing trees from abroad. 

In order for this work to be successful, we will follow the guidelines set out by the Plant Healthy certification scheme to ensure we are protecting the not only the species we grow on site, but our local forests and the environment as well. 

Failure to follow best biosecurity on site could lead to an outbreak of pests and diseases at the nursery; in the worst-case scenario we would have to destroy stock, meaning the resources and efforts put into growing and propagating the young trees would be lost. There would also be a risk to the local environment by the cross contamination of said pests and diseases onto other sites via footwear or equipment. This is why it is imperative we follow best biosecurity practice on site at all times. 

Approach to plant health and biosecurity 

Seed collection 

We apply for permission to collect from our local National Nature Reserve, Sherwood Forest; the relevant body will depend on the landowner of the specific area in which we are collecting seed but will be one of the following: 

• Natural England 

• The Forestry Commission 

• RSPB 

The application includes a method statement, emergency action plan and a risk assessment, grid references of where and what we intend to collect as well as estimated quantity of seed collected from the floor, which is usually 10%. Once permission is granted, we ensure all seed collecting equipment and clothing such as gloves and boots are thoroughly cleaned. Volunteers who may be taking part are instructed to wear clean boots to limit the spread of pests and diseases as we move through the forest. 

We record the species, grid reference, date and who the seed was collected by. The seed is transported to the nursery where it is processed, labelled and later (if necessary) stratified in our fridge which is located at our main office. In spring, the seeds are sown ready for germination, pricking out and growing on in clean cell trays. The young trees stay in these cells until the following autumn/winter where they are planted in their ultimate position. All this information is recorded on a database so we can trace the tree from initial seed collection to final planting. 

At the nursery 

The Nursery is located on the edge of Sherwood Pines on a site shared with Feel Good Gardens, a Community Interest Company who run gardening and wellbeing sessions. We recognise that operating in close proximity to a forest and a community garden puts the tree nursery at higher risk of pests and diseases being contracted. It is essential to limit the number of people visiting the nursery, and those that do are instructed to use the boot wash before entering the premises. Appropriate biosecurity signage is visible on arrival to site.  

A cleaning schedule is in place to maintain good hygiene practice around the nursery, this includes a checklist of tool cleaning, checking for stagnant or standing water around the nursery, cleaning and storing pots/trays/cells, covering compost, sweeping floors and cleaning surfaces of propagation areas. 

Any plants or trees brought onto site are inspected for any signs of pests and diseases and if any plant material is in ill health, it is reported, quarantined or disposed of accordingly. Any notifiable pests will be reported to the Forestry Commission via their Tree Alert tool. Appropriate advice will be sought if any challenges or uncertainty arise around the biosecurity status of the nursery. 

Wood packaging material is unlikely to enter site but if it is, it will be disposed of or removed from site immediately. Pallets will be checked for the heat-treated logo and stored away from the nursery.  

Compost will be sourced from a reputable supplier and used within the advised date. Compost bays are kept away from the nursery. Dead and decayed plant matter will be disposed of or composted away from the nursery. 

Water storage containers will be monitored on a regular basis to avoid Phytopthera or other harmful diseases that can linger in stagnant water. Water is collected from the polytunnel roof and is continuously used through the year which avoids stagnation. The containers hold 1000 litres and will be cleaned regularly with a disinfectant detergent. 

Plant health legislation and best practice 

Sherwood Forest Trust will regularly check the Plant Health portal/ APHA/ and DEFRA for any updates on the legislation via their websites as well as keeping contact details up to date for the relevant organisations in order to be able to act promptly in the event of an outbreak, as well as updating any of our biosecurity policies.  

Isabelle Pass is the main officer for the community tree nursery. She will inform other staff members and volunteers about the procedures we have in place regarding biosecurity and what to look out for with pest and disease symptoms. This will be both verbally and via informative signage around the nursery. 

A site and operations pest risk analysis is written and amended to remain up to date with any changes in operations or legislation. 

Designated person 

Isabelle Pass (Community Tree Nursery Officer) will be the main coordinator implementing the Plant Healthy policy at the tree nursery. She will hold the account on the Plant Healthy portal and the FRM register. It is her responsibility to keep up to date with legislation, informing others, registering material, record keeping and general upkeep of the nursery to operate in line with the expectation of the Plant Healthy policy. 

All staff at the Sherwood Forest Trust are briefed on the procedures put in place to limit the spread of pests and diseases at the nursery. All existing and new volunteers will be inducted on best practice for plant health and biosecurity at the nursery before taking part in any activities on site or whilst out seed collecting. 

Document prepared by Isabelle Pass, Community Tree Nursery Officer. 

Approved by: Helen Sullivan, CEO 

Date: April 2026 

For review: April 2027