Alba Trees and Re-Genus Revolutionise Tree Growing with Fungi-Fuelled Natural Solution
The partnership between Alba Trees and Re-Genus aims to grow over 5 million trees in the next three years using an innovative, peat-free, fungi-based growing system. Developed to reduce transplant shock and increase establishment and growth rates while being kinder to nature and climate.
• Alba Trees and Re-Genus Ltd have announced a partnership to scale a revolutionary, biogenic growing system called Woodland Grow. The initiative aims to produce over 5 million trees in the next three years to support the UK’s climate targets and reshape how forestry is done – from seed to established woodland.
• The partnership brings together Alba Trees, the UK’s largest cell-grown tree nursery (delivering over 20 million trees annually), and Re-Genus, a regenerative agri-tech start-up on a mission to displace 1% of global fertiliser production in the next decade.
• Trials have been successfully completed, and Alba Trees are now moving into commercial production, with plans to supply more than one million Woodland Grow trees across more than 50 species, with stock available for the 2026–27 planting season.
• Backed by the Forestry Commission’s Tree Production Innovation Fund, Re-Genus’s ‘Woodland Grow’ system, developed in partnership with Alba Trees, replaces synthetic fertilisers and peat with fungi-rich biology and sustainable, UK-sourced nutrition. It supports stronger, healthier and more resilient trees, and helps regenerate forest soils.
Key Innovations in the Woodland Grow System
At the core of Woodland Grow are three key principles:
1. Fungi and Microbial Partnerships: using natural fungi ‘starters’ grown within a healthy woodland ecosystem, the system delivers a microbiome which closely mimics healthy woodland soil and supercharges the natural fungal symbioses which nourish trees, eliminating the need for synthetic inputs or peat.
2. Natural, Balanced Nutrition: the products support trees with a full spectrum of macro- and micronutrients, promoting longer-term health rather than short-term nitrogen-driven growth. The system works by feeding the tree and the soil microbes to confer longer-lasting health and resilience.
3. Circular Raw Materials: the growing media and fertiliser contain organic bulk material from UK-sourced, forest industry by-products – creating a closed-loop system inspired by nature. The Re-Genus products are also set to receive 'Grown in Britain' certification.
Early Trial Success: Faster Growth, Lower Mortality
Re-Genus products are designed to build enriched, functioning root systems that grow healthier, more resilient trees, and significantly improve transplant success.
Transplant losses are a major challenge in the industry. Of the trees planted each year, an estimated 25 million – around 15–20% – fail to survive, most within the first five years. Some projects experience even higher losses, holding back efforts to increase UK tree cover for climate mitigation and resilience.
Year one field trials conducted with Euroforest Silviculture (formerly Pryor and Rickett Silviculture) saw over 1000 oak and hazel trees grown with the Woodland Grow system outperform conventional stock:
• 25% faster growth post-transplant compared to control trees grown with synthetic inputs.
• Lower browsing damage from deer and other wildlife.
• Reduced mortality rates.
This breakthrough was made possible by three years of support from the Forestry Commission’s Tree Production Innovation Fund, enabling Re-Genus to run extensive growing and planting trials across the UK in collaboration with Alba Trees and other forward-thinking forestry partners.
Across 100,000 trees tested, additional early indicators include mildew-free oaks, fewer aphids on hazels, and improved fungal and root biomass. These results are now undergoing further validation across multiple UK sites.
Scaling Up: One Million Trees and Counting
More than 1 million trees are already being grown by Alba Trees and Re-Genus using the Woodland Grow method in breathable, biodegradable paper pots produced by a Danish company Ellepot. Re-Genus has also launched a pelletised version of its advanced crop nutrition for post-planting use in forestry and agriculture. These Woodland Grow pellets introduce the microbial community directly into the planting site and are available from Alba Trees for new plantings this season.
Most of the first million trees have already been forward purchased by early adopters keen to trial the system. Gavin Adkins, CEO of Euroforest Silviculture, commented: “If this system consistently delivers higher survival and growth rates post-transplant, it’s a game-changer for the economics of reforestation and woodland creation.”
New Fertiliser for Commercial Tree Growers
The partnership has also launched an exclusive fertiliser pack for planting-team belts, supplied as 150-tree kits for the commercial tree-growing sector. It is designed for use at transplanting or during establishment and maintenance. Each tonne of synthetic nitrogen eliminated is estimated
to save around five tonnes of COâ‚‚e. Woodland Grow pellets are available for the coming planting season via Alba Trees.
Ambition to Grow 5 Million Trees
Building on their early success, Alba Trees and Re-Genus are working to scale the Woodland Grow system to 5 million trees over the next three years. The partnership underscores both organisations’ shared commitment to sustainable forestry and responsible environmental stewardship.
Craig Turner, CEO of Alba Trees, said: “This partnership embodies everything we believe in – innovation, sustainability, and quality. By combining Alba’s proven nursery systems with Re-Genus’s microbiome expertise, we’re growing trees with the future of the planet in mind.”
Daniel Iddon, Founder of Re-Genus, added: “We are thrilled to scale up with Alba Trees after five years of research and development. By working with nature, we can improve survival rates, grow stronger trees, and regenerate forest soils – while tackling climate change”
Applications for Woodland Grow Trees
Trees grown using the Woodland Grow system are especially well suited to:
• Commercial Woodland Creation & Restocking – Proven early growth and resilience.
• Landscape-Scale Restoration – Native broadleaf species benefit from enhanced microbial partnerships that restore both woodland and soil health.
• Habitat Creation – Improved outcomes in sensitive or degraded environments
