On a bright November Sunday, a group of Rural Striders joined Phil Hall, manager of Hilliers’ Andlers Ash Farm in Liss, for a guided walk around the nursery. Phil has worked at Hillier’s for more than 30 years – almost as long as the company has been based in Liss – and his passion for trees, soil, and the craft of growing them was palpable from the outset.
Those who walk the footpaths around Liss will know the views well: neat rows of perfectly shaped trees at different stages in their life cycle, standing tall against the skyline, their crowns trimmed as if fresh from the barber’s chair. Few stop to think about the work that goes on behind those rows. These are not just fields of trees, but the results of long-term careful cultivation at Hillier’s Andlers Ash – a place where expertise, patience, and craftsmanship quietly shape the landscape.
Longterm Planning
Hillier’s nursery in Liss spans several hundred acres across several sites. It’s also one of a few commercial nurseries in the country that raises trees from seed to maturity. At Andlers Ash, every stage of a tree’s life is planned years, sometimes decades ahead. Some won’t be lifted and sold for 30 years. This care and commitment to quality is why Hillier’s trees can be found in some of the country’s most high-profile locations – from the Olympic Park to Premier League grounds and Heathrow’s Terminals 4 and 5.
As we walked past a row of oaks, still in leaf, Phil explained how each tree is moved several times during its life to develop a compact, healthy root ball that can withstand transplanting. Their crowns are trimmed regularly too (by hand), encouraging the symmetry that high end clients expect.
Attention to Detail
What looks effortless is the product of decades of experience. Hillier’s combines traditional horticultural skill with modern research in soil science and sustainability. Between plantings, each field rests for three years – but “rest” here doesn’t mean idle. Carefully chosen cover crops are grown to bio-fumigate the soil. They are then ploughed back in to restore nutrients, while lime is added to keep the pH in perfect balance. Beneath the surface, miles of drip-irrigation piping delivers water in precise doses, adjusted daily for weather conditions. Every drop counts: rainwater runs off is captured by drainage ditches and channelled into storage ponds for reuse. It’s a quietly impressive example of sustainability in practice – and of how much science lies behind a well-grown tree.
Sustainability
Hillier’s approach to sustainability is as much about working with nature as it is about managing it. However well planned, the natural world always has the final say. Rabbits and deer are constant threats – a single night’s visit can cause major damage – so walkers should always remember to close gates behind them. More serious still are the invisible enemies: diseases such as oak processionary moth and ash dieback. Despite its name, Andlers Ash can no longer grow ash trees; the market has vanished and won’t reappear until a resistant strain can be developed. Yet there is hope, as Hillier’s are the UK’s only supplier of disease-resistant elms – proof that decades of scientific effort can restore what was once lost.
By the end of our visit it was clear that Hillier’s work is equal parts horticulture, engineering, and endurance. Phil’s team of 27 are out in all weathers, hand-tending trees that many admire without realising the skill behind them. So next time you walk the paths around Andlers Ash and see those perfect rows, take a moment to appreciate the skill and craftmanship that makes that view possible.
