Based in the north-east, between Aberdeen and Inverness, Christie-Elite Nurseries are specialist growers of forest trees and are the only commercial forest nursery to produce both bare-root and cell-grown plants. The nursery specialises in the production of improved commercial conifers including Elite Sitka spruce, Scottish origin native broadleaves, Caledonian Scots pine and hedging. The nursery is known for its extensive expertise, commitment to education, community engagement and environmental stewardship. They provide hands-on learning experiences, promote rural skills and inspire future generations in sustainable forestry and land management.
Through their numerous education programmes, Christie-Elite Nurseries offer students of all ages in the local area opportunities to gain practical experience in tree production and forestry. Christie-Elite Nurseries not only hosts school and college visits, but also exhibits their work at school fairs to overcome barriers to the forestry sector. Additionally, Christie-Elite's active partnership with the UK Apache Tree Program, which has provided over 3,600 trees to five deserving partners including schools and environmental trusts in Aberdeenshire, focuses on facilitating large-scale conservation, protecting habitats for wildlife and native species, as well as restoring and enhancing public green spaces.
Christie-Elite Nurseries has voluntarily adopted sustainable measures to their business practices and in 2023, achieved Plant Healthy Certification. The initiative is designed to enhance biosecurity and plant health standards. The nursery utilises local trades and businesses to run its operation and provides full-time employment for 40 residents. By sourcing stock from nearby estates and engaging with the community on open days, Christie-Elite Nurseries raises awareness of the importance of sustainability, conservation and environmental stewardship.
The nursery offers tours and internships that provide hands-on learning experiences in commercial tree production and horticulture. By collaborating with local schools, colleges, and universities, Christie-Elite Nurseries ensures that young people can learn practical skills and knowledge essential for careers in forestry, environmental conservation and sustainable practices.
The nursery’s engagement with the local community, namely its network of seed collectors, has significantly bolstered their overall success. The nursery sources seed locally through a network of individuals trained in traditional seed collection methods. These methods guarantee that the nursery stock will be of native origin, which is beneficial because the finished stock is better adapted to the specific climate, soil and environmental conditions found in that region, leading to improved survival rates and better growth. Seeds collected in this manner are also more resilient to local pests and diseases. Finally, using specifically collected local seed helps to improve the tree’s adaptability to future climatic conditions, making the plant more resistant to climate change.
Christie-Elite has pioneered a sustainable, non-toxic and fully biodegradable wax treatment for Hylobius abietis (Large pine weevil), which has helped reduce reliance on pesticides. Further, the nursery is engaged in research in physical weed suppressants to minimise its reliance on chemicals to reduce the effects of production on the environment. Christie-Elite considers efficiency and environmental impact at every stage of the production process and takes reasonable steps to decarbonise its supply chain and logistical operations such as organising staff training on efficient use of vehicles and energy consumption, implementing stock control procedures and minimum waste policies to ensure a sustainable business model. Despite significant damage to nursery poly-tunnels and equipment by recent storms, the nursery maintains its commitment to minimising the purchase of new material, particularly single-use plastics, often using spare parts where appropriate.