About Us
Appletons' Tree Nursery is a family-owned wholesale nursery, producing high quality seedlings from our two sites in the Tasman region. For over 50 years we have supplied a wide range of plants to the public, forestry, and nursery trade.
We offer a comprehensive range of over 350 deciduous, native and evergreen species available in a range of sizes from 20cm to 1.5m, and as one or two year seedlings and two year old transplants.
The bulk of our trees are grown in open ground seedbeds and are supplied to our customers bare rooted. The trees are lifted and graded in the winter when they are dormant and carefully packed for dispatch without soil around the roots.
Our Team
Since 1968, our nurseries have steadily grown. We now employ over 20 full-time, dedicated staff year-round. During the winter packing season, we employ a further 25 seasonal employees.
Wakefield Nursery
The Wakefield nursery focuses on growing a wide range of exotic and native species both in the open ground and in containers. An expansive propagation area provides covered growing for the establishment of cuttings and seedlings alike. The containter growing area offers several raised tables with varying degress of cover to suit each species. The majority of production is open ground - bare root plants grown in the 21 hectares of alluvial silt.
Evergreen, some deciduous and conifers are grown in Swedish developed side-slit cells which allow air pruning of the roots and prevent spiralling of roots inside the cell. The compact root system holds the bark media intact, extending the optimum planting time to include autumn and spring. These ‘plugs’ provide a good option for difficult-to-transplant evergreens, especially on drought-prone sites.
We are leaders in the use of fixed seedbed management and add 1500 cubic metres of compost annually to our seedbeds to increase the organic matter. This results in healthy, friable soils which grow quality trees. Our seedbeds can be nurturing over 350 species in varying stages of production.
Mt. Heslington (Forestry) Nursery
The Forestry Nursery was chosen for its free-draining soil and northerly aspect nestled against the Mt Heslington foothills. The 45 hectare site allows considerable scope for increased production when demand requires it, with extensive rye grass leys to rest ground between cropping cycles. Here we grow our high quality radiata pine, douglas fir and redwoods for the forestry industry.
Appletons' Arboretum
Appletons Arboretum was established twenty years ago as a future seed source, and an oppourtunity to trial new species. 6,500 trees from 1,000 species have been planted on the 150 hectare property, and seed crops are now being collected.
The Heart of Appletons' Success
Our willingness to try new ideas, listen to our customers and respond to their needs
Value for Money
We are specialists in our business, and our economy of scale ensures that Appletons’ quality is available at competitive prices.
Quality Product
Whether you’re planting a shelter belt or landscaping an entire property, Appletons' grows seedlings that produce trees with vigorous tops, balanced with well-developed root systems.
Service & Support
Our success depends on the success of our customers. We work hard to exceed client expectations for timeliness and quality of plant material.