A rare tree which inspired the naming of many UK pubs is pouring a new future for itself in Denbighshire.

Wild Service Trees are thriving this summer season at the Council’s Tree Nursery, at St Asaph.

The local tree nursery at Green Gates Farm, St Asaph, aims to produce 5,000 native wildflower plants a year alongside 5,000 native trees.

Trees and plants grown at the nursery eventually will head back out into the countryside to boost biodiversity.

The wild service tree is only located in a few isolated locations across Denbighshire. It also historically takes the name ‘chequers tree’ due to the tree’s fruits that are said to taste similar to dates and were given to youngsters in the past as sweets.

A fermented beer like alcoholic drink was also traditionally made from the fruits of the tree and it is believed this tipple inspired the naming of a number of ‘Chequers’ pubs across the country.

Following the successful germination of a number of Wild Service Tree seeds collected last Autumn, the local provenance tree nursery has brewed up a healthy batch of trees to support this historical piece of nature.

The tree nursery, funded by Welsh Government, through the Local Nature Partnerships Cymru ENRaW project and Local Places for Nature grant, is now home to 240 healthy growing Wild Service Trees.

Liam Blazey, Senior Biodiversity Officer said: “We are really pleased that the facilities here at the tree nursery have been able to give such an historically recognised rare tree an important lifeline in our county.

“After germinating inside freezer bags full of compost in our site fridge, with the help of staff and our great group of volunteers who support the nursery, these seeds were moved into root trainers before being potted on into three litre pots.

“Thanks to all the attention poured into protecting the Wild Service Tree, we now have 240 trees all outside on the nursery grounds enjoying the warmer weather and growing well. Once they get to a certain stage we will look to get them out into the county to help boost numbers.”

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport and Biodiversity Champion, said: “Our Biodiversity team is working hard to reduce the impact of climate change on our county lands which have unfortunately seen so many species become rare.

“This great effort will not only help nature recover but it will also give our future communities a slice of nature’s history back that they can get out into the outdoors to visit and enjoy for their own physical and mental wellbeing.”