Louise.J

No, I can't remember when we would last have received browse from Kew (assuming that is what you mean?). We are currently paying a couple of suppliers to bring browse every week but it is a very heavy financial burden, and we want to try and be more sustainable as well. I have been in contact with various parks across London, including Royal Parks, but they just can't commit to a regular schedule and they do their majority of cutting and maintenance in the winter.

That is really interesting, great bit of historical information 🙂

Thank you for your thoughts. Yes, lime leaves are perfectly edible for most animals. Unfortunately, our animals are pretty fussy and not many will touch lime, or only eat in very small amounts at the time (which is slightly frustrating). As for moving the brash, if there is a week's notice, I will be able to come and collect directly from the location. Any that won't fit on our flatbed van, can then go in the chipper. I will try and add a list of species to the original post. Thanks again.

I don't know if this post is allowed, but I am hoping to reach out to local tree surgeons in London. Our animals at London Zoo goes through a lot of browse (a zoo term for leafy branches) all year round. It is getting harder and harder to obtain good quality material and logistics are always a challenge. I know that tree surgeons always have challenges getting rid of their waste. If you are interested in collaborating, perhaps we can help each other out? Due to a complex mix of plant toxicity, bio hazards and plant diseases, there is a restriction to what species and type of material we can take (please see list below). If you then get a job through that you know will produce a reasonable amount of leafy greens, get in contact and depending on the location, we will be able to come and collect directly from you on the day. Get in touch on [email protected] if you wish to hear more. FOR SUMMER PROVISION Willow (Salix sp.) Norway maple (Acer platanoides) Tree cotoneaster (Cotoneaster frigidus) Field maple (Acer campestre) Laurustine (Viburnum tinus) Hornbeam (Carpinus sp.) Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) Elm (Ulmus sp.) Lacebark (Hoheria sp.) Sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) Griselinia littoralis Apple (Malus sp.) Mulberry (Morus sp.) European beech (Fagus sylvatica) Common dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) Alder (Alnus sp. – preferably A. glutinosa) European wild cherry (Prunus avium) Cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera) Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) Whitebeam (Sorbus sp.) Hazel (Corylus sp.) Poplar (Populus sp.) Butterfly bush (Buddleia sp.