The Nursery
Our Community Tree Nursery is a space for us to learn, experiment, and gather together.
This beautiful site was formally the teaching gardens of Birmingham City Council’s horticulture team. It’s now where we grow young trees that will one day be planted across the city. With our friends and volunteers we’re building a community space in Kings Heath park that allows us to host events and collaborate with other organisations, researchers, artists, activists and growers, making space for knowledge sharing, practical activity and reflection.
What We’re Growing
Birmingham’s future trees are starting their life in our nursery.
We’re growing climate resilient species, that is, species with high drought tolerance and an ability to withstand occasional flooding events.
We’re growing species suitable for a life in an urban forest with a tolerance for compacted and salt-laden soil, the ability to provide shade and cooling or complex foliage for capturing harmful particulate matter.
We’re growing native species, but focussing on seed provenance from latitudes that better resemble Birmingham’s climate in 2090 and trees that are resilient to pathogens affecting our trees today. A full list of the species we work with can be seen here.
Workshops and Events
Throughout the year we host free workshops in the space, led by specialists and open to all.
The nursery has plenty of large trees which need care too as well as a Hazel and Willow coppice, a wetland, large hedges and rootstock beds. The best way to hear about upcoming events is to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram.
The community tree nursery is also a space for us and others to host a range of activities and events from things for kids like forest school and story time to music and arts events.
If you want to talk to us about using the nursery space for an event or activity then get in touch via email with info@birminghamtreepeople.org.uk
Come and Help Out
Whether you have expertise or not, everyone is welcome to our weekly sessions.
Together we’re maintaining the space, taking care of the trees, our tools and the non-tree areas of the site. The work is seasonal and in the past has involved installing fencing, building habitat and seating, watering, pruning, weeding and planting new trees and rootstock.
Upcoming dates:
Wednesday 1st July 2026
Saturday 11th July 2026
Wednesday 15th July 2026
Saturday 25th July 2026
These are drop-in sessions with no booking required, held from 10am to 1pm. We can provide gloves, but we’d recommend wearing clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and shoes for all weather and surfaces.
You can keep up-to-date with our nursery sessions by registering as a Tree Person below.
Become a Tree Person
There are a few different ways to get involved in our work, from financial supporters and street tree surveyors to specialist tree care and nursery volunteers. You can learn more about these opportunities and complete the relevant paperwork here.
Where to Find Us
We’re currently hosting volunteer sessions on alternate Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 10am – 1pm. Everyone is welcome to join us in Kings Heath Park, B14 7TQ.
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When you arrive to the park, find the glasshouses and turn right and down the hill. Once you pass Thrive’s offices you’ll come to a low green metal gate which is the entrance to the nursery.
The ground is made up of soil, roots and stones with wood chip paths. It may not be accessible to all visitors. If you have any questions about access please get in touch.