Cornish Saplings
Dan Lewis has consulted with various outdoors spaces, some domestic, others post agricultural. He develops with his clients, ideas and visions into practical achievable steps. Dan has also advised whose wish to live on their land and create a sustainable business. He is passionate about creating outdoor spaces for people to enjoy with minimal upkeep and have maximise opportunity for nature and wildlife to flourish. Dan has grown over 500 tree saplings (horse chestnut, Monterey pine, oak, hawthorn, apple, apricot) with seeds saved from locations in the west country.
Best testimonial!
‘We want to express our deepest thanks to the incredible variety of native plants and trees that have played a vital role in helping us achieve a 30% increase in biodiversity on our land. A significant step in meeting the environmental goals we set ourselves under our planning conditions. We couldn’t have done it without the resilience and quiet brilliance of the native species provided by Dan.’
‘From the wildflowers that brought in more pollinators, to the increasing the density of the hedgerows and saplings across the land that now shelter birds, insects, and small mammals, every leaf and root has made a difference. These native plants have not only helped restore the natural balance, but they’ve also brought life, colour, and harmony back to the landscape.’
‘This success proves just how powerful and important our native flora is in supporting sustainable development. We’re proud of what’s been achieved and grateful to nature for helping us get there. Thank you, truly, to every tree, shrub, and wild bloom that helped make this possible, our hillside will be block of green for future generations.’
Vanessa & Craig, Gweek
Creating biodiversity, engagement & opportunity through seed collection, sapling growth & education.
We believe that expanding, protecting and improving our woodlands & spaces for trees can connect people to nature, support the economy, combat climate change and recover biodiversity. In areas outside woodlands like fields, hedges and orchards, trees are key features of the landscape and natural environment. Research shows the number of hedgerow trees is falling, with losses increasing due to the impact of pests and disease while ancient and veteran trees are also at high risk from climate change and neglect.
Growth
We have gathered seeds from a variety of locations, saved very small saplings from intensively managed public areas and been gifted some from supportive neighbours and local people. We have nurtured and grown apple, eucalyptus, hazel, cobnut, field maple, walnut, willow and apricot with ash, oak and horse chestnut being the most abundant.
Process
We only use free plant pots that have been donated from our local community or up-cycled domestic food containers to grow our seeds & saplings. Domestic waste such as tetra-packs, soup packets, plastic milk containers, tins and coffee bags & widely available to all of us and the reuse of this waste gives new life and application to ‘single use’ objects. All pots are sterilised with dilute vinegar & an eco-friendly soap before use & our soil is an organic, peat-free mix.
In late 2022 we gained sponsorship from Suez Cornwall to reuse numerous large plastic containers and pots from their Penryn recycling plant. These allowed us to pot up larger trees, continuing our sustainable path of reusing already existing objects rather than buying new ones.
Future
Growing from seed takes two to three years from collection to a sapling being ready to plant, & sometimes a further 15 years to create a larger tree. We see creating growth as an act of faith & persistence, to nurture & attend a plant, knowing that you will not see that tree reach its full potential, or see the benefits it will deliver.
Germinating tree seeds to foster their dormant possibilities brings so many benefits which are well researched and evidenced to include: preventing soil erosion, regulating the water cycle, combating noise pollution, they create vital habitat for wildlife, lower light pollution, create oxygen, maintain good soil conditions, cool the air & provide shade which improves the health & wellbeing of people.
Collaboration & tree donation
This year we have offered saplings to community groups, charities, organisations or individuals who are enhancing their local area in a way that is positive for the environment. This means respecting the landscape & cultural heritage on and surrounding the site or/and increasing biodiversity, improving air, water & soil quality while offering access for others to nature.
Over the past 5 years, we have made sapling donations to local businesses to improve their hedgerows, biodiversity & to create barriers against the wind.
Donation locations:
- A family building a new ‘Low cost & local’ home in an AONB near Gweek
- A mixed small holding near Halvasso
- @howlandloer A small independent botanical distillery, Nr St Ives
- @Trenowfields A small regenerative vegetable, herb and arable farm in Penzance
- Chyan Cultural Centre A place to celebrate connection, community and creativity in Penryn.
- Constantine Primary School, Cornwall.
Cornish Saplings
I have a range of saplings and plants or varying sizes & if you would like help or advice with your garden or land, please do get in contact to discuss your requirements or ideas.
Dan is an excellent gardener and horticulturist.
Dan is an excellent gardener and horticulturist. His suggestions have been most welcome for us to improve our outside space. His work ethic is commendable, being very hard working, polite and professional at all times. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend his services.
Dan is a very competent, hardworking and trustworthy gardener!
Dan is a very competent, hardworking and trustworthy gardener -helpful in every way. He is also skilled in other aspects of outdoor work, i.e., guttering and drain clearance. I have no hesitation in recommending him to any retrospective client.
He is highly reliable and has been great to communicate with so would highly recommend him.
Dan has carried out gardening work & also some maintenance jobs which he has done very thoroughly and at a high standard which we have been very happy with. He is highly reliable and has been great to communicate with so would highly recommend him.
Dan is a forward thinking, conscientious!
Dan is a forward thinking, conscientious worker that takes pride in his work. His work is swift, clean and professional. I’ve been very happy with Dan’s suggestions and have been able to confidently leave him to the job in hand. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Dan for any future positions within the horticulture/Landscaping/gardening trade going forward.
Dan was very efficient!
Dan was very efficient and arrived early to support me with my garden. He was attentive to my needs checking in with me making sure he did what I wanted. He re-potted a couple of large plants and moved some heavy pots around for me plus pruned and advised me on the Rosemary bush. I am grateful to Dan as he has inspired me to spend more time in my little garden, plus it looks more spacious now!
Very knowledgable, creative, enthusiastic, and totally reliable
We are doing a large gardening project at our home & Dan has been helping us. We find him to be very knowledgable, creative, enthusiastic, and totally reliable; he is a pleasure to work with.
He is efficient, prompt & very reliable. Highly recommend.
Dan has done a great job sorting out the garden at our holiday home including repainting fences, jet washing, plus weeding and pruning. He is efficient, prompt & very reliable. Highly recommend.
