The business was recognised with the Commitment to Environmental Stewardship Award and the Horticulture Student of the Year Award, which was awarded to Speciality Trees employee and Swinburne University of Technology student Jacob Chizik.
Speciality Trees operates on three different nursery sites in Victoria — one in Benalla and two in Narre Warren East — producing trees in a variety of ways, utilising sustainable horticultural management techniques.
In his application for the award, Mr Chizik said the industry was “part of the solution for climate change, and we need to grow and plant more green life”.
“This makes horticulture a forward-moving and vibrant industry to be involved in.”
Speaking about the awards, Speciality Trees managing director Hamish Mitchell said he was “so proud of our team”.
“Seeing our people grow as we grow and with an environmentally positive attitude with drive to make a difference in the industry, makes our journey so worthwhile.”
Speciality Trees staff are accountable for all areas of tree development, nutrition, cropping, IPDM (Intergrated Pest and Disease Management) and irrigation.
At the 22ha of in-ground grown trees at the production facility at Benalla, those staff are busy growing resilient trees to pot-up into advanced containerised sizes for councils, landscapers and developers or supplied as bareroot material to orchardists.
Research is highly regarded by the company, assessing existing impacts and practices and developing new ways to grow more resilient stock with minimal environmental impact.
Energy and water is captured and reused, while shelter belts are developed to complement growing areas boosting positive insect presence.
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