| 69 Easy Big Trees LANDSCAPING Transforming outdoor spaces www.easybigtrees.co.nz T T Kim Newth Growing trees across the generations Chris, Barney and Ryland Harrison - devoted to the world of trees. Southland-based Easy Big Trees is one of New Zealand’s largest growers and distributors of quality trees and shrubs, with more than 130,000 trees and plants in stock, ready to be delivered anywhere across the country for rural, residential, commercial and streetscape projects. The four-generation family business has a proud history dating back to 1918, when nurseryman, Richard Harrison, first began supplying trees for shelter to local farmers. His legacy lives on today at the Easy Big Trees nursery at Makarewa, Invercargill. Like his grandfather and father before him, Easy Big Trees’ current managing director, Chris Harrison, is a devoted tree man. At his side are his sons, fellow nurserymen and directors Barney and Ryland Harrison. Their combined wealth of experience and knowledge is the bedrock of the business. Easy Big Trees is known for reliability and consistency, growing and supplying healthy trees and shrubs for landscaping needs nationwide – for farming, residential housing and subdivisions, local government, hospitality, golf courses, resorts and lodges, and equestrian centres. “Being fourth-generation growers is a huge help in what we do,” says Barney. “Great-grandpa Richmond always used to encourage growers ‘to think like a plant’. As simple as it sounds, there’s a lot in that saying. “Today, we have a fantastic nursery team of around 20 on-site, and also work with like-minded passionate transport teams, who care about our products as much as we do. We have partnered and worked with landscape architects around New Zealand for many years now too.” A special part of the business, Harrisons Heritage Collection, features trees ranging in age up to 30 years or more. “These play an integral role in creating instant beautiful landscapes and returning great immediate aesthetics and value to investments,” says Barney. One of Wanaka’s premier residential developments, Northlake, features large Harrisons Heritage English Oak trees and Pin Oaks. Easy Big Trees also supplied a selection of deciduous street and park trees and evergreen screening at Northlake. Their high-grade trees also grace other master-planned subdivisions in the area, such as Jack’s Point and Hanley’s Farm in Queenstown. As well, Easy Big Trees often works with councils on urban beautification projects. “We have supplied many of our beautiful trees and plants for urban streetscapes, from the recent Dunedin, Queenstown, Ashburton and Invercargill City upgrades to the beautiful Ayrburn, Arrowtown.” Ayrburn is a world-class gastronomic and family destination with manicured heritage gardens. As well as having an extensive catalogue, Easy Big Trees grows trees to order and well in advance to ensure availability and quality product to meet project timelines. Spring is a busy time in the nursery, with great options to bring seasonal joy. “The Yoshino Blossom - Prunus yedeoensis is one of our most popular avenue trees for its beautiful blossom,” says Barney. “Pyrus Aristocrat is another; it’s a very wind- and exposure-hardy avenue tree – and doing beautifully at Hanley’s Farm as a street tree.”
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