Curo News

Trees, Shrubs and Grass Maintenance - Estates campaign March

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:34:37 Z

We work hard to make our estates safe and popular places to live. So, it’s important the outside areas we’re responsible for are also a nice environment for everyone.

Grounds maintenance is done throughout the year, but it increases between March and October, as this is when most greenery does its growing. The main jobs include:

grass cutting
shrub and hedge pruning
managing growth along pathways/access routes
leaf clearance at the end of each growing season.

We also carry out planting and projects with partners to help improve estates and promote biodiversity and resilience.

All outside works are dependent on the weather, so timings can vary each year.

Did you know we:

cut more than 550,000 square metres of grass
manage 22,000 square metres of meadow grass to increase biodiversity
maintain over 55,000 square metres of shrubs
look after nearly 20,000 metres of hedging, pruned twice per year, tailored to the type of hedge
manage and clear leaves from over 48,000 square metres of pathways and open areas.

We also look after larger areas of open space, verges and small play areas. Across all our estates we have a growing tree population of 9,500 trees. This is on top of other woodland areas we manage.

To find out when your next grounds maintenance visit is, enter your postcode here Glendale Local - Curo - Glendale Live

Grading is as easy as A+ to C

So we have clear way for customers, landlords and contractors to understand the standards we work towards, we use a grading system that’s been developed in consultation with tenants across the UK.

Everything we’re responsible for is scored from A+ to C and covers things like length of grass, hedge growth, weeds and impacts on paths and roads. There’s more details in our estates standards booklet. You can also find out about how you can help us keep your green spaces a great place to use.

Winter tree planting 2025

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 11:55:19 Z

More than 1,500 small trees and shrubs have been planted on Curo land in Bath this winter.

Curo once again partnered with More Trees BANES to create mini-forests and hedgerows on two green spaces in the city.

Representatives from Curo and More Trees BANES were joined by councillors and community volunteers at four planting days at Holcombe Green and Oval Park on 25 and 26 February and 5 and 6 March.

Volunteers helped with the planting

All of the trees and shrubs are British native species that have been grown from seeds collected in or around Bath, and include a mix of flowers, fruit-, and nut-producing plants which will provide food and shelter for insects, animals and birds.

Community groups, schools and volunteers with the support of More Trees BANES, cultivated the seeds into saplings which could then be planted outdoors.

Curo’s Senior Arboriculturalist and Contracts Manager, Gordon Stuart, said: “This work is an important part of Curo’s commitment to sustainability. It’s so important for us to plant trees as they provide a myriad of environmental improvements for us as humans, and for animals.

“Most importantly, trees provide oxygen. They also help to limit the fluctuations in climate which is vital as we see more and more effects of global warming.

“These mini forests will provide habitats for native wildlife, as well as green corridors which allow animals to safely move around the city.

“We’ll be closely monitoring the new plantings until they are well established, and then there will be a management plan in place to make sure that they are well maintained and can continue to provide benefit into the future.

“We are very grateful for the support from More Trees BANES to help us improve our green spaces. Working as part of community is very important to everyone at Curo, and the tree plantings are a great example of successful community collaborations.”

Curo's Senior Arboriculturalist and Contracts Manager, with Richard Higgs, Director of More Trees BANES

Richard Higgs, Director of More Trees BANES, said: “At More Trees BANES we like to plant in places where our trees are going to have the biggest impact. We are very pleased to be able to work with Curo to put trees in areas that we think will benefit the community by providing places to connect with nature.

“The trees will blossom in spring, provide shade in the summer and become a beautiful colour in autumn. They bear fruit, and are home to wildlife. Trees are a part of everyone’s life, and we believe that by creating little woodlands like these, we’re improving people’s lives. Life is better with trees.”

Curo has more than 8,500 trees across its communal estate areas. In addition to these planting sessions, another 130 larger trees have been planted as part of our planting programme.

The planting at Oval Park builds on the success of last year, when the first stage of the mini forest was planted.

Holcombe Green is a new planting site. When choosing areas to become mini-forests we take into account many different factors, including making sure that communities still have access to open green spaces. At Holcombe Green, there are other Curo-owned grassed areas nearby – further down Holcombe Green and along Eastfield Avenue/Brookfield Park – that will continue to be available for outdoor sport and community use.

All the planting has been set back from the road to make sure that it doesn’t impact visibility for traffic, and plenty of space has been left for the path that runs across the area.

All our tree shelters and mulch mats are fully bio-degradable and our woodchip has been sourced locally from other works on the wider Curo Estate.

All planting projects will continue to be managed following our estate standard guidelines and our tree procedure, promoting good establishment and benefit into the future.

If you have any questions about our planting schemes, please contact the Estates team on estates@curo-group.co.u k.

Help us plant more trees

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 09:00:00 Z

More Trees for B&NES have teamed up with Curo to plant locally grown in Bath. Would you like to join in and help?

Our next planting session will take place at The Oval in Bath on Tuesday, 5 March from 10am to 3.30pm, and anyone who would like to help can drop in at any time to suit them.

We will be planting a Tiny Forest block comprising larger standard trees and a mixture of smaller tree species that will establish together to provide a layered planting design. Both will help promote biodiversity at the site and promote a rich, varied urban tree cover into the future.

If you’d like to register your interest or find out more, please email Emma at More Trees for B&NES on emma@moretrees.earth. All equipment needed will be provided, including light refreshments - just bring appropriate clothing and footwear.

Curo's Senior Arboriculturalist, Gordon Stuart said: "It's great that once again we are collaborating with More Trees for BANES to plant locally raised tree species across our estate. These planting projects will be managed into establishment and become part of Curo’s communal tree stock.
"We’re looking forward to seeing them grow and further improve the area for people and for wildlife.
"We’ve included a map to show you approximately where the groups of trees will be planted. We look forward to meeting anyone who can come along and help.”

Tree planting on Axbridge Rd Green, Foxhill

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 11:14:58 Z

Our partnership with More Trees B&NES and Bath Building Society is continuing with more tree planting at Foxhill in Bath on Tuesday 21 February 2023.

Please feel free to visit us on the day. Tea and cake provided!

Tuesday 21 February 2023
10am to 1.30pm

If you'd like to join us and get involved, or you'd like any further information, please contact More Trees on volunteers@moretrees.earth

More Trees will return in three months to check on the trees. If you'd like to become a local tree champion and help us care for the trees by reporting any problems, please get in touch with More Trees.

To see where we plan to plant these trees, download our map below:

Axbridge Rd planting plan Feb 2023.pdf

Help us plant more trees at Whiteway Green, Bath

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 15:13:44 Z

More Trees for B&NES have teamed up with Blooming Whiteway and Curo to plant trees at Whiteway Green in Bath. Would you like to join in and help?

The trees will be planted by volunteers on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 February 2023 from 10am to 1.30pm each day.

If you’d like to come and help, or to find out more, please email More Trees for B&NES on volunteers@moretrees.earth. They can provide you with all you need, including tea and cake - just bring appropriate clothing and footwear.

Curo's Senior Arboriculturalist, Joe Robson said: "The trees being planted are around 50 centimetres tall and we'll be managing them as part of Curo’s tree stock.

"We’re looking forward to seeing them grow and further improve Whiteway Green for people and for wildlife.

"We’ve included a map to show you approximately where the groups of trees will be planted and where ‘spot planting’ - planting small trees individually - will take place.”

Whiteway Green planting plan - Jan 2023.pdf

Calling Redland Park allotment holders: Could you help grow more trees?

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 12:09:33 Z

A local tree-planting charity is looking for a new space to grow their tree seedlings and is asking Curo residents in Twerton if they can help.

More Trees for Bath and North East Somerset is a small charity based in Bath who have planted more than 11,000 trees in the area since 2008. The charity needs to find a new space from September 2023, having been based at the local council’s parks depot in Royal Victoria Park for the past 18 months.

We'd like to hear how Curo allotment holders at Redland Park would feel about sharing space with More Trees. If this arrangement is acceptable, we would help the charity set up a new central nursery at the allotments. They would use this to grow their tree seedlings from seeds collected from local woodlands.

To give your feedback about this, please email Curo at estates@curo-group.co.uk or call 01225 366000 and ask for our Estates Team. Please get in touch before the end of January 2023.

For more information about More Trees, or their tree growing project, get in touch with sandra@moretrees.earth.

Saving older trees as a home for wildlife

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 14:44:38 Z

Curo is using a special pruning method to save older trees so that they can be kept as habitats for wildlife.

Joe Robson, senior arborculturalist at Curo, looks after 7,000 trees across our estates.

“We use a method called ‘tree veteranizing’ to keep the ecological benefits of the tree while managing the risk it poses,” said Joe. “Branches are cut to make the tree look as if it has been damaged in a storm.”

Standing decaying deadwood is better for the environment than tree felling as tree trunks are unique ecosystems for creatures such as beetles, woodpeckers and birds of prey.

“It can take 14 years for a new tree to repay the carbon debt of growing and planting it,” said Joe. “Veteranizing a tree means we can preserve the environmental benefits of older trees which have to be felled.”

Trees may need to be veteranized if they have ash dieback – a disease affecting ash trees across the UK – and cannot be saved through tree surgery.

Curo is committed to maintaining and increasing communal tree cover across our estate. We recognise the significance of our trees and understand the social, environmental and financial benefits they provide. Curo will not only replace every felled tree located on communal land, but also plant additional trees to add to our stock.

Trees are vital for our communities as they enhance the environment, storing carbon to combat climate change, while providing habitats for insects, animals and birds. They act as a natural air filter, trapping air pollution in their leaves and bark. Plus, being around nature has proven mental health benefits for people, reducing stress and promoting wellbeing.

To learn more about veteran trees go to the Ancient Tree Forum’s website.

Local businesses and charities dig deep to help plant 100 new trees

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 16:44:13 Z

Curo has teamed up with local charities, businesses and its contractors to plant more than 100 trees this winter and spring across our estates.

The latest trees were planted in February by volunteers from local Coop Food stores. The planting day was organised with More Trees B&NES who helped to fund many of the trees alongside Curo and the Coop.

Trees have also been planted by contractors Gristwood & Toms, idverde and Ambience Landscapes who have all kindly donated time and resources. These numbers have been further bolstered by volunteer organisations including Grow Batheaston, More Trees for B&NES and the Coop Food store volunteers. Many of these trees we sourced from Chew Valley Nurseries who offered a charity discount.

Senior Arboriculturalist at Curo, Joe Robson, said: “This has been a fantastic community effort, with so many organisations volunteering and helping out in different ways. We’re looking forward to beating this record next year and contributing in a big way to B&NES Council’s ambitious project to plant 100,000 trees by 2023.”

Coop Food’s Bradford on Avon Store Manager, Danni McEwing, said: "It was a great morning, having a laugh while doing some good for the community. Look forward to the next round in the summer!"

Pauline Tessier, who manages the Coop’s Combe Down store, said: "It was lovely to just be out and about, doing what we do, supporting the community."

Curo manages more than 5,000 trees across its communal areas and is committed to replacing every tree that is felled, as well as adding more trees through community tree-planting partnerships like this.

Joe added: “These new trees have all been recorded on our mapping system to ensure they’re properly managed. Anyone can see where our trees are located on our online estates map at www.curo-group.co.uk/estates. Look out for newly planted trees near you and if you think your area would benefit from replanting please contact us at estates@curo-group.co.uk.”

Batheaston community plant 15 new trees

Thu, 26 Nov 2020 10:23:18 Z

A massive thank you to all the members of Grow Batheaston. This community group is made up of residents who want to improve their local environment and one aspect of this is tree planting.

They have sourced and - just before the second lockdown - planted over 15 trees on a rainy Saturday.

To achieve this they’ve met with staff from Bath & North East Somerset Council, Curo and they spoke to other members of their community who might be affected by the tree planting.

Their work will have a huge positive impact on their local environment in years to come.

If you’d like to know more about Grow Batheaston you can find their website here.

If you’d like to do something similar in your local area and you’re a Curo customer please contact us at estates@curo-group.co.uk and let's see what we can do together.

Photos courtesy of Grow Batheaston.

Two oak trees planted in Saltford to mark 75th anniversary of VE Day

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 10:59:27 Z

Pictured above: L-R Jamie and Colin from Ambience Landscapes planting the commemorative oak trees.

On 5 November Saltford Parish Council, Saltford Community Association and Curo planted two oak trees in Saltford to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day.

It had been hoped to plant the trees on the anniversary day itself, but this was prevented by the COVID-19 lockdown. When the trees are sufficiently large a commemorative plaque will be mounted on one of them; until then the plaque will be displayed in Saltford Hall.

The trees were kindly supplied by Curo contractor Ambience Landscapes who Saltford Parish Council also contract to after St Mary’s Churchyard.

Curo Senior Arboriculturalist Joe Robson said: “Thank you to Saltford Parish Council and Saltford Community Association for helping to organise the planting of these two commemorative oak trees. And a big thank you to Ambience Landscapes of Frampton Cotterell for not only supplying these trees free of charge but planting them too!

"These trees are to commemorate VE Day and will become part of Remembrance Day in years to come. Curo are very proud to work with such proactive and community-minded organisations.”

Click here for information about trees including our tree guide.

Download our tree detectives activity pack.