Hillier and Street Trees for Living Partner to Grow Resilient Street Trees

Hillier, one of the UK’s largest tree suppliers, and Street Trees for Living, a charity based in Lewisham, are proud to announce a new partnership focused on planting and caring for street trees across South London and beyond. The collaboration combines Hillier’s horticultural experience with Street Trees for Living’s community-led approach, creating a hands-on, people-powered model for greener, healthier neighbourhoods.

Street Trees for Living works closely with residents, schools, and community groups to plant and look after street trees. Volunteers, known as “tree guardians,” take responsibility for the trees in their streets, helping them thrive while learning practical skills and connecting with their neighbourhood. By working with Hillier, Street Trees for Living links this care with expert guidance on species selection, planting techniques, and long-term tree health. Together, they are creating a shared culture of stewardship that strengthens communities and the natural environment alike. Street Trees for Living will ensure, wherever possible, to use trees specified from Hillier, reflecting their values of sustainable growing practices and their professionalism in responsibly sourcing from an industry-leading, sustainable, and bio-secure British-grown tree nursery.

Hillier contributes over 160 years of experience growing high quality trees in the UK under strict standards of provenance, sustainability, and biosecurity. Through the partnership, Hillier and Street Trees for Living offer training, workshops, CPD sessions, and opportunities to visit Hillier’s nurseries, helping volunteers and guardians gain confidence and knowledge while nurturing their local trees.

Key benefits of the partnership include:

·       More high-quality, sustainably grown street trees in local neighbourhoods

·       Hands-on learning through workshops, planting demonstrations, and nursery visits

·       Long-term guidance and on-site support to ensure trees flourish

This collaboration is part of Hillier’s wider commitment to supporting community led greening initiatives across the UK. Each partnership reflects the unique needs and character of the communities involved.

Sophie McGeevor, Chair of Trustees, Street Trees for Living said: "We are thrilled to partner with Hillier, an organisation that shares our deep commitment to community stewardship and environmental responsibility. The quality of Hillier’s stock directly supports the success of our street trees and our 95% survival rate. By leveraging Hillier's trusted expertise and technical support, we'll provide valuable training and upskilling opportunities for our volunteers and guardians, strengthening our commitment to tree equity across the community."

For more information on Hillier Nurseries, visit www.hillier.co.uk. To find out more about Street Trees for Living, visit: https://www.streettreesforliving.org/

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Editors notes

“To inspire the creation of green living spaces for now and the future”

Hillier is one of the leading names in the horticultural industry, with over 160 years of growing and retail experience.

Founded in 1864 by Edwin Hillier, the company remains a family-run nursery with the fifth generation now actively involved in the family business as it continues to grow.

Not only is Hillier the largest producer of semi-mature trees in Europe and grower of over one million plants at its Hampshire nursery, but it also employs over 750 staff across its nursery, amenity trees and 22 garden centre divisions and is a flourishing multi-million-pound company. It proudly holds the world record for the most consecutive gold medals awards at the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with 74 wins.

As one of the leading growers in the UK, Hillier is involved in many peat-free initiatives, including the RHS Peat-Free Fellowship, the largest peat-free collaborative research project globally. The company was amongst the first nurseries to become 100% peat-free across both its production nursery and retail garden centres, and all Hillier plants are grown in peat-free compost.

In 2026, Hillier achieved international recognition after being crowned International Grower of the Year at the AIPH International Horticultural Industry Awards. The company also received awards for Finished Plants and Trees and Sustainability, recognising its leadership, innovation and commitment to responsible growing.

Other recent successes for the company include sponsorship of BBC Gardeners’ World Live and BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, alongside the continued success of the free ‘Hillier Gardening Club’ loyalty programme, which now has over half a million members.

Renowned for being a leading breeder of plants in the UK at its 100% peat-free nursery in Hampshire, each year Hillier introduces amazing new varieties. Many of these have become essentials in British gardens and the company continues with the tradition of innovation and the introduction of new garden plants in the present day.