Large trees and large batches
“Here at the nursery in Sint-Oedenrode we are specialised in large avenue trees, specimen trees and shrubs. If you plant a garden with these plants it is complete, done. These days people no longer take the time to wait for twenty years until a tree has grown large, and they do not have to. When building a large office complex a few percent of the building costs will really finish off it with our large trees. Large batches of uniform trees.

For example, we recently sent 35 size 100-120 Quercus palustris to Switzerland. We are good at that too. Personally, I especially enjoy replanting between 30 and 40 hectares in the nursery in a very short space of time each year.”

“The staff all made a conscious choice for this profession and are all from this area. With a nursery of 280 hectares we are a leading and noticeable business in the region.”
(Cees van Casteren)

280 Hectare nursery
“I have worked in the nursery since I was 13, so now in 2007 I have been working in this sector for 40 years. After junior school I attended ornamental plant cultivation college and followed professional nursery training. I never stopped working and developed along with Van den Berk. I would not know how it feels to apply for a job. That is how it is for the majority of my team of 49 people.

We have a very low rate of turnover, which means that our company retains all the knowledge and experience. The staff all made a conscious choice for this profession and are all from this area. With a nursery of 280 hectares we are a leading and noticeable business in the region. Van den Berk has been a leader in mechanisation and expansion for many years, and this is what enables it to remain an attractive employer in the sector.”

A leader in development
“A lot has changed in 40 years. We used to do everything ourselves: cultivating roses, creating grafts, cuttings, sowing, developing the tree park. Over the years we started to specialise in avenue trees and then large avenue trees. It used to be the human touch, with a tractor and a horse, but just manpower apart from that.

The machines that were developed for a large part at the nursery played a crucial role in the development of our company. Mechanisation allowed us to expand and survive the difficult nineteen seventies. The machines also add to the job satisfaction of the team. You can use a spade when you are 20, but not when you are older.”

Green is ‘hot’
“You have to do your homework before buying a tree. The location is extremely important. Give it space and ensure that the size of the tree is in proportion with (and remains in proportion with) its surroundings. After all, a tree can last for generations. Me too, by the way. I will continue to do this work as long as I am healthy.

Green is a ‘hot item’ and I notice that people are devoting more attention to it. Van den Berk Nurseries can make a great contribution to the planting on former agricultural land that is becoming increasingly scarce in the Netherlands. I think that there is a secure future for our company.”

Topiary trees in a types and sizes
“Clients always say that our nursery here in Geldern, Germany, always looks lively and varied. This is due to our speciality: topiary trees such as Pinus bonsai in different varieties – large solitary shrubs, column, espalier, block, spherical and roof shapes. For example, we currently have 250 Tilia cordata blocks in the size 200cm x 100cm x 80cm for a client in Switzerland. A beautiful batch. But I am most proud of the recent delivery for a project in Ireland. A batch of 300 Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’ and 150 size 30/35 Quercus palustris 30/35 with wired rootball!

Trees that are completely appropriate for that project.” of staff because almost everything had to be dug up manually. Today’s machines have made working at the nursery far less arduous. However, we now need more professionals in order to maintain the quality standards. We can just manage that at our 90 hectare nursery with our team of a total of seven people. We check each other, thereby maintaining the quality.”

“In June 2008 I will be 65 and will retire. I can look back on a wonderful time as a tree grower.
Hard work sometimes, but certainly worth the effort!”
(Frans Peeters)

Quality of life for people and animals
“Quality requirements will become even more stringent in the future and companies will get bigger. The range of plants and trees is constantly being adapted and must be resistant to the extreme weather conditions. Fortunately, technology is developing rapidly and I think that a lot is still possible in this area.

There are a great number of opportunities for Van den Berk Nurseries because a great deal more green spaces must be planted in order to maintain the quality of natural surroundings for people and animals. However, this is my last year in the nursery. In June 2008 I will be 65 and will retire. I can look back on a wonderful time as a tree grower. Hard work sometimes, but certainly worth the effort!”