Christmas in Milton Keynes is all about lights, laughter and, this year, armfuls of fresh greenery.
When the Hope and Wellbeing Hub in Milton Keynes decided to run a Christmas wreath making class, they wanted it to feel natural and welcoming, not plastic and throwaway. Rather than buying in bundles of imported foliage, they used greenery donated from our tree work across the area, turning what many people think of as waste into something beautiful and meaningful for their visitors.
It is a small example of something we care about at Browns Tree Solutions. When we take a tree down or prune a canopy, we always ask a simple question, “How can we put this material to good use?”
What happens to your tree when the truck drives away?
Most people see the big piles of branches, logs and brash going into our chipper and assume it all just disappears.
Behind the scenes, there is a lot more going on.
Every job we carry out produces “arisings”, the industry term for all the timber and foliage that comes off a tree. Rather than treating that as waste, we look for ways to reuse, recycle and repurpose it, either on site or locally. That can mean:
- Woodchip for mulching beds and borders
- Log sections for seating at events and festivals
- Log rings for rustic cake stands at weddings
- Solid timber for tables and benches
- Greenery for seasonal projects like wreath making
The wreath class at the Hope and Wellbeing Hub is a perfect seasonal example. Healthy offcuts from recent jobs became the raw material for an afternoon of creativity, conversation and community.
From stumps to seating, how our arisings support local life
Over the last year we have quietly supplied:
- Stumps for seating at local events, perfect for children’s areas and informal outdoor gatherings
- Log rings and slices for cake stands and displays, especially for barn and farm weddings that want a natural, rustic feel
- Tables and seating for Rowleys on the farm at Lower Rectory, where our timber has been turned into robust, characterful furniture that fits the setting
None of this was bought in. It all started as part of tree work we were already carrying out for our customers.
Handled responsibly, a large tree can provide shade and habitat during its life, then heating, furniture, mulch and craft materials once it has to come down. We see it as part of our job to make that happen wherever practical, not just chip everything and send it away.
Why reuse matters, especially at Christmas
Christmas is a time of year when waste can quietly get out of hand. Extra packaging, single use decorations and plastic items that end up in the bin by January are hard to avoid.
Using local, natural materials for things like wreaths, table centres and decorations:
- Reduces the need for imported foliage and plastic
- Keeps money and value in the local community
- Gives a second life to materials that would otherwise be discarded
- Brings people closer to nature at a time of year when most of us are indoors
For the Hope and Wellbeing Hub, the wreath class was not just about making something pretty to hang on a door. It was a chance for people to work with fresh greenery, slow down for an hour or two, chat, and take home something they had made with their own hands.
Knowing the branches and foliage came from local trees, after careful professional work, adds another quiet layer of meaning.
Our promise on waste and community
We have to remove trees for all sorts of reasons, from safety issues to building work. When we do, we want our customers to know that as much of that material as possible will be used well.
That means:
- Planning each job so that suitable timber can be set aside for reuse
- Working with local people and businesses who can benefit from logs, chip or greenery
- Looking for opportunities, like the wreath class, where our arisings can support wellbeing and community activity
Sometimes that is as simple as providing a few extra stumps for a school nature corner. Sometimes it is a trailer of chip to help a community garden improve its paths. Sometimes, as at Christmas, it is a van full of greenery heading to a hub that supports people through difficult times.
Could our “waste” help your project?
If you are a local school, community group or small business in the Milton Keynes area and you think you could put timber, chip or greenery to good use, we are always happy to talk.
We cannot promise to meet every request, and safety has to come first, but where we can match up our arisings with a good local use, we will.
So this Christmas, if you see a Browns truck going past piled high with branches, it might not be the end of the story. Some of that greenery might soon be part of a wreath on a neighbour’s door, a table at a farm shop, or a seat at a village event.
And if you need expert help with your own trees, from careful pruning to safe removals, you will know that we are thinking about what happens after the cut as well as the work on site.
Hope & Wellness Hub
An afternoon of creativity, conversation and community.
About the Hope and Wellbeing Hub
The Hope and Wellbeing Hub in Milton Keynes provides mental health and wellbeing activities in a safe space for anyone facing difficult life circumstances. The Hub runs regular groups and sessions aimed at improving wellbeing, connection and resilience for people in the local community.
Website: www.hopeandwellbeinghub.com
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