Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has taken possession of its brand-new glasshouse at Newton Nursery near Elgin, marking a major milestone in the nursery’s modernisation.
The state-of-the-art 12,000m2 glasshouse is equivalent to the size of two football pitches and will be capable of growing up to 19 million trees per year under its roof.
This multimillion-pound investment will allow FLS to more than double its tree production capacity and includes new offices and a modern distribution and operations centre.
FLS’s nursery team will now focus on fitting out the glasshouse along with other operational buildings, with initial nursery operations set to commence in 2025 and full operation expected by the end of the year.
The redevelopment is the largest single infrastructure investment ever undertaken by FLS and has been made possible with financial backing from the Scottish Government.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Mairi Gougeon, hailed the project as a crucial step in making FLS “fit for the future.”
She highlighted that the glasshouse’s advanced technology will enable the planting of one million tree seedlings in a single day, significantly improving efficiency and flexibility.
Growing trees from seed inside the glasshouse, rather than in open fields, will allow FLS to control the growing environment more effectively.
This means the seedlings will be better protected from extreme weather, herbivore browsing, and competition from weeds.
Once complete, Newton Nursery could support up to 25 million trees growing on-site annually, a massive increase from the current seven million, while also delivering significant operational savings.
The modern nursery will be a hub for innovation, incorporating mechanised tree planting and other technological improvements to reduce manual labour requirements.
Sustainability is at the heart of the redevelopment, with local Scottish timber used in construction and boreholes supplying water for irrigation to avoid placing extra demand on mains water supplies.
Low-energy technologies have been integrated into the design, and solar panels will supplement electricity use, ensuring a greener and more efficient operation.
Ian MacDonald, Senior Operations Manager at Morgan Sindall Construction, praised the collaborative effort that brought the project to life.
He emphasised that modern construction methods have enabled the creation of a facility that supports Scotland’s environmental and economic goals while also engaging local social enterprises and community groups.
FLS, the Scottish Government agency responsible for managing Scotland’s national forests, plays a crucial role in growing trees that will be planted across the country as mature trees are felled.
The nursery’s expansion will also contribute to the creation of new forests, reducing the UK’s reliance on imported timber, which currently accounts for around 80% of wood product needs.
Ms Gougeon underlined that expanding tree planting in Scotland will support the Scottish Government’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2045.
By increasing tree numbers, the initiative will help absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, and generate sustainable wood products, all beginning at Newton Nursery.
