GALBRAITH is handling the sale of Christie-Elite, one of the best-known UK growers of commercial tree species, specialising in broadleaf varieties as well as conifers for timber production.
It is the only UK tree grower producing both bare-root and cell-grown saplings and one of the only nurseries in the world growing native Scottish montane species.
The Moray-based business, established in 1819, produces and ships millions of finished trees each winter to clients across Scotland, the UK and to Europe, for forestry, woodland and hedging.
Tom Stewart of Galbraith, who is handling the sale, said: “Christie-Elite is renowned for the quality of its trees and has an outstanding reputation based on over 200 years of experience.
“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 per cent of our timber, so there is enormous potential to meet domestic and international demand. In addition, government targets for new tree planting and increased provision of hedgerows on farmland further boosts demand for premium growing trees.
“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.”
Turnover is currently circa £1.8 million. Production volume is 6-8 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 significant 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 principal buildings include Bogton Farmhouse, a ‘B’ listed detached traditional house, now in need of renovation; a steel portal frame storage shed of about 50m x 24m with cold stores and offices; and a grading shed of about 36m x 25m of steel portal frame construction with a 50kW solar panel system mounted on the roof.
A further range of modular buildings include various stores and the principle office building at the yard. There are numerous single, double and quadruple interlinked poly-tunnels, many of which have heating, irrigation and drainage.
The freehold land extends to about 53.3 acres and is predominantly classified as grade 2 by the James Hutton Institute. It is generally well drained, is level, and has been used for producing nursery trees with occasional arable crops as breaks in the rotation. There is a good network of internal tracks.
Christie-Elite Nursery is located in a highly desirable and accessible position on the outskirts of Forres in the fertile ‘Laich o’ Moray’ area. Forres (about 1 mile) provides a wide range of shops and amenities including a railway station. About 12 miles to the east Elgin offers a wider range of amenities. Inverness (about 28 miles) has all the facilities of a modern city including its airport (about 20 miles).
Christie Elite Nurseries is for sale through Galbraith for offers over £3,000,000.
