Tree Nursery Aims for Fully Organic Cultivation |
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'We're more the solution than the cause of the problem'
At Tree Nursery Udenhout, sustainability is a top priority. The company is not only taking significant steps toward CO₂ reduction but is also increasingly focusing on organic production and a sustainable assortment. Thanks to smart innovations and deliberate choices, the nursery is able to stay on course toward greater sustainability. "We're making good progress," says director Martin Houben. "But there's always room for improvement."
| The pruning platforms at Tree Nursery Udenhout are electrically powered. |
Since 2009, the nursery has been certified with the On the way to PlanetProof label. This certification allows limited use of fungicides and herbicides, but the nursery hardly uses them. Only a small amount of herbicide is applied during winter spraying—less than 10 percent of the permitted quantity.
Role of Municipalities
The nursery would prefer to eliminate this use altogether, but municipal requirements for a weed-free root ball make minimal herbicide application currently necessary. At the same time, municipalities are increasingly demanding organically grown trees certified under the SKAL standard—an expectation that Houben says is conflicting: "Municipalities often don't realize how difficult it is to deliver organically grown trees with a weed-free root ball. That's a bit contradictory."
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"Municipalities often don't realize how difficult it is to deliver organically grown trees with a weed-free root ball"
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To raise awareness among municipalities, the nursery wants to enter into dialogue in collaboration with industry association Royal Anthos. "Municipalities need to recognize that growers working under On the way to PlanetProof are already producing in a highly organic manner." Houben advocates for a more realistic view among municipalities, with greater appreciation for sustainability certifications like PlanetProof.
 | | The nursery is piloting the use of chickens for weed control. |
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100 Percent Organic
Meanwhile, the nursery isn't standing still and continues to promote more organic practices wherever feasible. Tree Nursery Udenhout has long used grass strips with mixed seed blends between tree rows to attract natural predators that help combat pests naturally. In cleared blocks of the nursery, mixed flower seed blends are sown to further encourage beneficial insects.
In the future, the nursery aims to transition fully to organic operations. With new technologies and machinery—such as hoeing machines and small autonomous vehicles capable of weeding—Houben expects to manage weeds without any pesticides within five years. Currently, autonomous vehicles are being tested for mowing and weeding. "We've been trialing them for a year and a half, and the mowing is working great. We also want the smaller autonomous vehicle (the Aigro Up) to be able to hoe. This is essential, because last year we often couldn't access fields with the hoeing machines attached to the narrow-track tractor. This innovation is crucial for taking a big step toward fully organic cultivation."
 | | Aerial photo of the nursery, with 4,000 square meters of solar panels |
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CO₂ Certificate
Recently, the nursery made major investments in electrifying its operations, which earned it a CO₂ certificate. Two years ago, 4,000 square meters of solar panels were installed, providing 1 megawatt of energy. "We only use about 100,000 kilowatt hours ourselves. The surplus powers our machines and in-house transport systems." Several vehicles and machines—including pruning platforms, tools, forklifts, and other small electric transport units—are now largely electric. Larger vehicles like cranes and tractors are not yet electric due to high costs. "But every time we invest, we consider switching to electric. We're currently exploring the transition to hydrogen."
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Two years ago, 4,000 square meters of solar panels were installed, providing 1 megawatt of energy
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In cooperation with transport partners, the nursery is also working to make deliveries more sustainable. While electric trucks are still limited in availability, the nursery uses electric vehicles for tree deliveries whenever possible and requested.
 | | Drip system at the nursery |
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Water Management
An interesting development is a pilot project Tree Nursery Udenhout is undertaking with several other growers in collaboration with Water Board De Dommel. The project aims to closely monitor water usage and the quality of runoff from the nursery. By taking samples, the water board can precisely track which chemicals and nutrients are leaching out and how much water is being used. "It's often claimed that nurseries are careless with water, pesticides, and fertilizers. We want to show that we manage soil and water responsibly. In fact, we believe we capture more water on our property than we use. That's why we see ourselves as part of the solution, not the problem."
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"We see ourselves as part of the solution, not the cause of the problem"
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 | | Martin Houben |
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Houben hopes to eventually pump this surplus water into the subsoil on the nursery grounds—something not currently permitted by the government. With a drainage system controlled by water levels, surplus rainwater could be filtered via biofilters and stored underground, creating a natural buffer for dry periods. "It would be a great way to recharge groundwater while keeping our fields moist in summer and accessible during harvesting season. We want to ask Water Board De Dommel to tackle this challenge with us as a pilot project."
On that note, Houben believes the sector should send a strong signal to the government. "I think we should be proud of what we do. Even if not everyone is 100 percent PlanetProof-certified, we provide the green infrastructure essential for greening the Netherlands. And we do so responsibly. So give us the space to continue this work in a sustainable way."
This article was originally published on December 12, 2024, on the website of Stad + Groen.
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