The new glasshouse at Newton Nursery, near Elgin, is as big as two football pitches and boosts tree production.
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) will use it to grow 19 million trees yearly, more than double current production.
Sylvi Kerr, Doug Knox, and Kevin Quinlan work for FLS. Darren Douglas, Ian MacDonald, and Stuart Parker are builders working for Morgan Sindall Construction.
The project includes new offices and a new center for distribution. It sits near Burghead’s A96 junction. The glasshouse will now get equipment and should open by year’s end.
Mairi Gougeon, in charge of Rural Affairs, said this site handover is key for FLS to be ready for the future. Newton Nursery will use new tech to plant one million seedlings daily, boosting efficiency and flexibility.
Growing trees inside is better because seedlings are safer there, avoiding weather, animals, and weeds. The 12,000 sq meter glasshouse helps.
Mrs. Gougeon added that planting more trees is vital for Scotland to reach net zero by 2045. More trees absorb carbon dioxide, and this whole process starts at Newton Nursery.
Local wood was used for the new office, and wells, not mains water, will irrigate trees. Conifers fill the glasshouse; pine and spruce will dominate, supporting Scotland’s forestry.
The nursery grows different tree types, helping forests fight disease and adjust to climate change. The nursery site also has a new equipment shed for tractors and equipment.