Organic trees 

In 2016 Van den Berk Nurseries began cultivating organic trees. There was little organic seed stock on the market at the time, but because the cycle has to start somewhere the legislation makes provision for this. Following a total transition period of three years, one of which was exclusively for the soil, we started with a small test plot. Each successive year we added a new plot. In the coming years we will, depending on the demand, continue to scale up our production of organic trees and the range will become larger.

Quality

The results of the test plots were positive: the trees are healthy and of excellent quality, on a par with similar trees cultivated elsewhere in the nursery. This is partly because over the past 15 years we have substantially reduced our use of plant protection products in our regular cultivation. As a result, we have accumulated a great deal of knowledge about alternative cultivation methods and resources. Organic tree cultivation is a natural fit with these developments, and our experiences have been encouraging. The cultivation process is more labour-intensive, however, which means that the prices are higher than those for our regular cultivated stock.

SKAL Biocontrole, the Dutch organic control authority

‘Organic’ is a legally protected designation. A product can be called organic if it is produced and has been certified in accordance with the applicable European legislation. The process leading up to organic cultivation starts with a transition period for the soil. This excludes the risk of discovering residues of plant protection products used in the past. Once the plot has been approved, organic cultivation can begin. In principle, organic cultivation means not using chemical plant protection products or artificial fertiliser. There is also legislation concerning equipment and its cleaning. In the Netherlands, SKAL Biocontrole is the authority that oversees the organic supply chain. It inspects plots and products and is responsible for certification. More information on the legislation can be found at: www.skal.nl/en

Available in 2021-2022

The organic trees are available in a limited range. Underneath examples of species and cultivars available for 2021-2022, mainly as standard trees, in sizes 18-20, 20-25  and 25-30 cm. stem circumference. Please check with our salesteam actual availability and price.

Acer campestre ´Elsrijk´
Acer freemanii ´Celzam´
Acer platanoides ‘Cleveland’
Acer platanoides ‘Emerald Queen’
Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Bruchem’
Alnus glutinosa
Alnus x spaethii ´Spaeth´
Amelanchier ´Ballerina´
Betula pendula ´Zwitsers Glorie´
Carpinus betulus ‘Lucas’
Castanea sativa
Corylus colurna
Fagus sylvatica, betakt
Fraxinus americana ´Skyline´
Gleditsia triacanthos ´Shademaster´
Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Imperial’
Juglans regia
Liquidambar stryraciflua
Mespilus germanica
Ostrya carpinifolia
Platanus x hispanica ´Malburg`
Quercus cerris
Quercus palustris
Quercus robur
Quercus rubra
Salix alba, knotvorm
Sorbus aucuparia var. edulis
Tilia europaea ‘Pallida’

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