Mere Plantations are a UK based company with over 10 years experience in reafforestation of degraded forest land.
Who We Are
Mere Plantations grow mainly Teak (Tectona Grandis) due to the resilience of the tree, and the high value of the associated timber.
For the sake of good husbandry and essential biodiversity, Mere intersperse stands with native hardwoods.
Mere grow timber for its own business, as well as contract grow for companies and institutions.
It is said we are the first generation to understand the damage we are causing to the planet. It is said we are the last generation that can do anything about it.
We either take responsibility for our actions, or we leave it to others.
Trees are the lungs of our planet, acting as filters of the atmosphere by taking in harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide, locking them away in the body of the tree, and releasing oxygen.
LATEST NEWS
Our planting teams are working hard transplanting the young #Teak seedlings to the field for onward growing.
As well as producing #commercial timber crops, we aim to reduce the decline and degradation of our forests through sustainable land management and improving #SoilHealth🇬🇭
TDUK member @MerePlantations is partnering with Timber Auctions UK to bring #sustainably grown plantation #Teak logs to the UK market.
The first sale of Mere Plantations’ Teak logs into the UK takes place on Wednesday 22nd June at @TimberAuctions. #FLEGT
https://bit.ly/3On8Vbv
In addition to planting 8,000 Teak seedlings today in support of #GreenGhanaDay, we are also planting 1,000 bamboo seedlings for onward growing in our #biodiverse plantation. Working 365 with communities and @fcghana2020 to mobilize for a greener future. >4M trees grown to date🇬🇭
2From seed provenance to end purchaser, each stage in the timber journey under the 🇬🇭🇪🇺#FLEGT-VPA (a legally binding #trade agreement) requires verifying as legal, sustainable and traceable.
Being the plantation owner and grower we can ensure just that. #TrustedTimber #Teak #SDGs
Green is the quintessential colour of nature and this chameleon loves our #Teak as much as we do.
Plantations play an important role in biodiversity conservation and restoration when management strikes the right balance. Building a shared future for all life.
#BiodiversityDay 🇬🇭
In our permanent irrigated nursery, our current germination rates are as high as 85%.
The process of germinating the #Teak seeds is labour intensive; from soaking and drying rotations to hand-weeding and hand selection of the delicate shoots for onward growing.#GreenGhana #SDGs🇬🇭
Sustainable management of soil not only affects #forest productivity, but also impacts soil's ability as a #carbon sink.
Mulch is the perfect organic material to suppress weeds, conserve moisture and return nutrients back to the soil.
@MajorEquipment #FLEGT #SoilHealth #SDG15🇬🇭
The team at Mere Plantations are proud to be working with D. A. Watts. Jointly bringing sustainably grown, expertly prepared timber to the yacht industry. Environmentally friendly, renewable and fully documented plantation #Teak for the 21st century.
#GrownInGhana #FLEGT🇬🇧🇬🇭
My #thicktrunktuesday this week would have a thicker trunk if not for fire, this Cola gigantea has taken a beating in the past but is now nestled in @MerePlantations being looked after by fire guards. A suitable retirement.
2Using natural materials in everyday #plantation life is important to us. Palm fronds are used in germination beds, bamboo for nursery frames, pegs for planting and #timber for security huts and workshop sheds.
Considering our environmental impact at each growing stage. #SDG12♻️🇬🇭
With 15yrs of tree growing and tending we have gone from seed➡️saw.
Tropical hardwood users, by law, require transparency and traceability for all their #timber.
We only grow on degraded former forestland and ensure #sustainability and traceability.
#ZeroDeforestation #FLEGT🇬🇭🇬🇧
"Forests and sustainable production and consumption" is the theme of this years #IntlForestDay, emphasising the importance of ALL types of forests.
Choose sustainable wood for people and planet.
#FLEGT-VPA🇬🇭🇬🇧#Coppicing >#timber #reforestation #BetterWithForests #SDG12
Both of these photo's were taken in our plantation.
Sustainably growing #timber should be balanced with other considerations: protecting biodiversity, caring for soils, increasing #carbon storage, whilst respecting #people and #nature.
#SoilHealth #GrowingGhana #Teak #SDG15🇬🇭🇬🇧
One of our clients stated that he did not want to be the one who used the last primary forest #Teak tree.
Plantation Teak (grown on degraded former forestland) can sustainably generate quality #timber, meeting the growing demand for legal tropical hardwood.
#GreenGhana #FLEGT🇬🇭
The President of Ghana, H. E Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo has launched the the 2022 Edition of Green Ghana Day, at the Accra International Conference Centre. The theme for this year’s exercise is “Mobilizing for a Greener Future” and it is scheduled for June 10, 2022.
4“Ghana is still on course to be the first country in Africa to issue timber legality licenses (#FLEGT )” said EU Ambassador @IrchadR during a courtesy visit today to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, @SamuelAJinapor.
3Specifying sustainably sourced tropical timber can help combat climate change and support forests to grow. These modules are for specifiers, architects, merchants or designers, to build confidence to understand and work with tropical timber supply chains.
http://ow.ly/c96i50HUwG1
When establishing a stand of #timber, we take nutrient-deficient soil and over time build nutrient-rich topsoil.
Soil productivity is critical to #sustainable forest management, crop yield and #biodiversity.
Returning #soilhealth to Afram🇬🇭
Investment begins with a realistic chance of generating a return. That return shouldn't only be financial, #ESG principles are equally as important. A business should be set up for there to be no losers.
Growing #timber with the community in🇬🇭is #trading beyond the need for Aid.
#Throwback to last week when @UKinGhana held a reception to engage key stakeholders in 🇬🇧🇬🇭 investment partnership after the Africa Investment Conference to promote #greeninvestment in Ghana. Highlights are up on our instagram stories now! Watch here 👉🏽http://instagram.com/ukinghana
Discussing how we can better address the risks of #wildfire through satellite early warning and proactive management.
Growing #trees is a journey. Thank you Hugh Brown, Head of Plantations Division @fcghana2020 for walking with us🙏🏾
#AlwaysGrowing #alwayslearning #plantation🇬🇭
Nature’s own fertiliser🍂🍂🍂
Teak leaves are perfect mulching material and soil-builder, organically fertilising the #soil through decomposition.
The leaf litter acts as a natural blanket of mulch, regulating soil moisture and temperature.
Healthy soils = healthy plants + trees
Important customs changes took place on 1 January 2022.
You can find our detailed TTF customs briefing documents as well as an outline of the new changes in our latest blog below 👇
https://bit.ly/3JTyiA9
#timber #export #import #Brexit
Keeping fire-rides and green breaks maintained during the dry Harmattan season. Educating employees and the community on fire prevention, control, and suppression. Our ground patrols, combined with satellite early warning detection, help mitigate #wildfire risks. #SDG13🇬🇭#SDG15🇬🇭
4From seed to saw, the process of delivering sustainable timber to market cannot be done without people. Mere in the U.K. and Ghana would like to wish all our customers, employees, partners and supporters a very happy Christmas and all the best for 2022🎉
#AlwaysGrowing #FLEGT🇬🇭🇬🇧
Mark, on behalf of the team at Mere, has proudly accepted the offer of an Honorary College Fellowship from @MyerscoughColl in recognition of outstanding achievements and work in #Forestry.
Sharing knowledge of our unique experience of tropical plantation establishment @UKinGhana
The National Forest Monitoring System developed by the Ghana Forestry Commission monitors timber and wood products along with other commodity extraction and transactions. The system will consolidate efforts of #FLEGT, #FACT and accountability. @fcghana2020
http://www.businessghana.com/site/news/general/250146/Ghana-developing-Forest-Monitoring-System
The building material nature intended. Renewable, recyclable and regenerating, wood is the perfect alternative to replace carbon intensive materials.
Management and maintenance means we can keep our forests providing and sequestering carbon for longer.
#SDGs🇬🇭 #COP26 @UKinGhana
From seed selection, through germination and growing, to final product. Owning the process from seed nursery to #timber enables whole tree usage and zero timber waste.
Through our #coppicing programme our plantations will continue to provide for generations. @UKinGhana🇬🇭🇬🇧@COP26
Every piece of #wood tells a story, but you need to hold it to feel its weight - 'Tough as #Teak' doesn't cut it! Andy at AJS sawmill commented, "It's gorgeous wood, the tungsten carbide blades cut very well. The sapwood is harder than some hardwoods!"
#zerowaste #Sustainable🇬🇭🇬🇧
More containers of #Teak are arriving in Sealand today!
Through #sustainable and #commercial timber growing in rural Ghana, jobs and opportunities for training are created. Our benefit sharing agreement has meant clean water to communities and improved lives.
>#timber #SDGs🇬🇧🇬🇭
Our first containers of #Teak have started arriving at AJS Saw Mills in the U.K. for processing.
Tropical timber grown sustainably with our uniquely guaranteed traceability from seed to saw.
#BenefitShare #FLEGT #TradeBeyondAid #SDGs
#AfricaClimateWeek @UKinGhana 🇬🇧🇬🇭
Great to hear 🇬🇭’s commitment to using its precious natural resources sustainably and to discuss plans for #COP26. @UKinGhana glad to help showcase 🇬🇭’s efforts in Glasgow https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Ghana-and-UK-to-enhance-collaboration-to-fight-climate-change-effects-Lands-Minister-1367182
Possessing an array of knowledge beyond the classroom, Alice and Pokua may have basic/no formal education but they understand nature. Their indigenous #forestry and leadership skills are second to none and invaluable to our #growing team.
#WomenInForestry #opportunities #SDGs🇬🇭
#GovtThisWeek
2Congratulations to all the team @TTF_FLEGT 🎉🎉🎉Very well deserved, and proud to support @TimberTradeFed
Our Conversations about Climate Change project, fabricated from tropical timber from #FLEGT/VPA countries has won has the Environmental Achievement #TTJAwards.
Congratulations to all designers, & and entrants. All timber through @TimberTradeFed members 🎉 #ClimateConversations https://twitter.com/woodPR/status/1438870820017876994
A billion shades of green and noisy with the sound of nature.
Contract growing trees for #timber allows us to breathe life back into degraded former forestlands; addressing drivers of deforestation, ensuring sustainable growth, and allowing older forests to recover @UKinGhana🇬🇧🇬🇭
Adopting a holistic approach to plantation management through continuous cover forestry. We regard the whole ecosystem as the production capital of the forest including soil, carbon, water, vegetation, wildlife, as well as sustained timber yield from coppicing.
#resilience #SDG15
Great to attend the closing reception of the #ClimateConversations exhibition last night @BuildingCentre. The @TTF_FLEGT team made superb hosts!
Seeing the displays up close brought home the importance of the #timber industry to the future. The building material nature intended.
#Wildfires fuel climate change and #climatechange fuels wildfires, but most fires are human caused.
Risks can be successfully mitigated through better management, education, land-use planning, debris removal, maintained firebreaks/rides and resilient planting.
#BetterWithForests
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57920510 @BBC piece on why there are timber shortages right now, and the impact on construction. Featuring studio bark, @Ubuild_UK and the #NBAU students. #GiantLegoWithBolts #UBuild @TRADA_ @TTF_TimberWorks @UPMplywood @RIBA @waitey
Healthy, growing trees are the ultimate carbon capture and storage machines. Fixing carbon through year-round growth in the Ghanaian climate, perfect for #Teak.
We encourage understory vegetation that plays a vital role in regulating soil carbon and nitrogen.
#NetZeroWeek2021🇬🇭🇬🇧
Healthy young trees planted out in November 2020. The @MajorEquipment Cyclone mowers are the perfect machines for management, and maintaining plantation margins for biodiversity. Nutrients are being returned to the topsoil and combustible material is mulched.
Working with nature.
Truly #sustainable timber grown on degraded former forest land. Legal wood #trade helps fight deforestation and climate change while improving livelihoods.
Delivering real environmental benefits and financial returns.
#AlwaysGrowing #coppice #TrustedTimber #BenefitShare #FLEGT🇬🇭
Forestry operations create a wide range of opportunities.
Providing much needed #youth employment and skills training that are inclusive. Growing a team who care about creating a resilient, sustainable environment. #forests #future #timber #benefitshare #SDGs #tradebeyondaid🇬🇭
Establishing a nitrogen-fixing cover crop between young trees is a good strategy to minimise #soil erosion. Understory vegetation and grasses add to the #carbon enrichment and soil fertility, maintaining the nutrient supply crucial for sustaining productivity.
#greengrowth #SDGs
Drones certainly have a role in scattering seeds but I’ve never seen one that will actually plant a tree #AskAForester https://interestingengineering.com/these-drones-will-plant-1-billion-trees-in-just-8-years
Improved forest governance is key to addressing deforestation and forest degradation - failing to address underlying governance drivers of deforestation and illegal activities puts the goals of the climate agenda at risk ⬇️#ClimateConversations #FLEGT
https://www.euredd.efi.int/publications/ending-tropical-deforestation-10-lessons-for-laying-the-foundations
There is one thing planting trees and there is another growing them.
We take a multifaceted approach to our commercial forestry operations. By investing in sustainable land management of degraded former forestland we are breathing life back into soils, communities and habitats. #Regeneration through #reforestation now and for future #generations🇬🇭
4Legality of #timber production, trade & strengthening forest governance is crucial for tackling #deforestation. The #FLEGT VPA shows trade is effective for incentivising gov reforms to promote legal, sustainable forest management & economic dev @ATIBT_Asso
https://www.atibt.org/en/news/13009/challenges-and-opportunities-in-turning-the-tide-on-deforestation
Good #forestry and #farming practices stand the test of time. Ensuring yields are #sustainable and maximised, benefits of sustainable land management are intertwined with the #environment, human needs and #commerciality.
Thinking in life cycles, as opposed to election cycles.
Through constant and careful stand #management, we are able to extract significant amounts of high-quality #timber with low-impact. We regard #ecosystem services as the production capital of the forest by adopting a continuous cover #forestry approach.
#resilience #AlwaysGrowing
#Coppicing can be traced back to Neolithic times (ca.4500 BC). Late Stone Age man knew how to manage a sustainable source of #timber.
With good #silviculture practices, coppiced stands can produce immense volumes over time. Rapidly growing trees can efficiently sequester #carbon.
As part of our commitment to biodiversity, 6,000 #indigenous Terminalia superba seedlings have been germinated.
Their flowers attract pollinators like #bees and flies. The bark is used in #traditional medicine as a treatment for wounds, malaria, ovarian problems and bronchitis.
Reforestation of degraded #forest land is an important part of tackling climate change and, if done right, it can support biodiversity and human wellbeing too. #Plantations can be part of the solution.
Sharing our landscape with nature, #ForNature.
#SDGs🇬🇭#BiodiversityDay2021
Permanent sample plots provide long-term datasets for growth and yield monitoring, mean tree sizes, stand volume, carbon sequestration figures and growth projections. The extrapolated data is used for #timber supply analysis and influences sustainable forest management decisions.
3A benefit of managed #plantations is safeguarding remaining old growth trees. Our security team and employees protect these majestic trees that form a crucial part of the landscape for biodiversity and climate change.
Happy #ThickTruckTuesday🇬🇭
We only consider a #tree planted once it has done at least a full 12 months in the ground and is thriving.
#Management and #maintenance need to be ongoing to ensure best tree survival rates following planting out from the nursery.
Knowledge and #skillsharing maximises productivity, efficiency and profitability through developing industry competent staff.
The benefits of mentoring are myriad. Providing decent opportunities for #ForestryJobs and contributing to #RuralEmployment.
#plantations #SDGs🇬🇭
Our #climatechange action began >10yrs ago planting and growing a sustainable timber business. Dialogue with communities, chiefs, and scientists began >15yrs ago. Despite challenges, we continue to deliver a sustainable business creating real world solutions to #SDGs #BeyondAid🇬🇭
4Forests are at the core of the solutions that can help us make peace with #nature, offering hope to heal people, the environment and economies @UN @FAO | Investing in our #forests is investing in our future - our key message for @COP26 #ClimateAction
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/04/1090622
#Satellite data for #forestry is useful when coupled with knowledge on the ground e.g. #tree height, MAI, species, density and maturity, vegetation, soil quality, fire damage, encroachment.
With deciduous stands, leaf flush, leaf tinting and leaf fall are also important factors.
Commercially growing teak interwoven with tracts of natural vegetation enhances #biodiversity.
Within our #plantation, riparian strips are earmarked for water and biodiversity protection as well as designated conservation areas.
Contract growing timber #sustainably.
Low-tech forestry, combined with holistic land management practices, will yield multiple benefits.
Healthy forests support a wide range of services for ecosystems and livelihoods. By #coexisting with nature we appreciate what healthy soils and trees provide.
#WorldEarthDay2021
Formative #pruning from an early age is important to help develop tree form, removing double leaders and malformed stems.
Subsequent pruning is undertaken to improve value and marketability, removing defects to produce high-quality knot-free #timber of even grain and texture.
Low impact thinning minimises soil disturbance, and through good coppice management we maintain a healthy #growing environment.
Sustainably managing lands means providing for the present and for future generations in a changing climate.
#SDGs #BSA #SoilHealth #resilience #FLEGT