Moray-based grower of commercial tree species Christie-Elite has been put up for sale by its owners.
Specialising in broadleaf varieties, as well as conifers for timber production, it is the only UK producer of both bare-root and cell-grown saplings and one of the only nurseries in the world growing native Scottish montane species.
Established in 1819, the business ships millions of finished trees each winter to clients across Scotland, the UK and to Europe, for forestry, woodland and hedging.
Turnover is currently circa £1.8m, with production volumes of around seven million saleable trees per annum. The sale includes the stock of finished plants on order and growing trees at various stages of development.
The landholding extends to about 53.3 acres of freehold land and about 109 acres leasehold.
The nursery holds built assets on site, including a range of heated and equipped polytunnels and stores used in connection with the growing and storage of the tree crop.
The principle buildings include Bogton Farmhouse, a B-listed detached traditional house, which is now in need of renovation, along with a steel portal frame storage shed with cold stores and offices, and a grading shed with a 50kW solar panel system on the roof.
The freehold land extends to about 53.3 acres and is predominantly classified as grade two by the James Hutton Institute.
Christie-Elite Nursery on the outskirts of Forres in the Laich o’ Moray area.
Tom Stewart, a partner with Galbraith in Aberdeen, which is handling the sale, said: “For sale as a going concern, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a successful business in the flourishing forestry sector.
“Timber is in huge demand globally and in the UK we currently import 80% of our timber, so there is enormous potential to meet domestic and international demand.
“Christie-Elite has a significant range of bespoke buildings, plant and machinery in addition to the landholding, which is highly productive - the purchasers could potentially further develop the business, subject to the necessary planning consents.“
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