A pioneer in sustainability
At M. van den Oever Tree Nursery, we believe that sustainable business goes beyond simply growing trees. Every day, we work to create a green, healthy, and future-proof living environment. As pioneers in sustainable and organic cultivation, we combine entrepreneurship with a commitment to people, the environment, and society.
Our vision is based on four pillars: People, Planet, Profit, and Pleasure. Together, they form the foundation for a business model in which care for our employees, respect for the environment, economic sustainability, and job satisfaction go hand in hand.
Through independent certifications and quality systems, we ensure that our efforts and results are transparent and verifiable.
People - those who make our world a better place
Your access to 12,000 species
- More than 200 years of experience
- 7 generations of M. van den Oever, innovating every day
- As a leader and advocate in sustainable farming
- True expertise in the cultivation and use of trees, shrubs, and perennials—up to 12,000 varieties
- Passionate about improving your world and ours
- ‘Everyone participates’; we work together with two major organizations (ASVZ and WSD) to achieve our ‘social return’
- We work to give and receive energy; on average, our employees have been with us for 26 years!
Planet - People Who Protect Mother Earth
Environmentally Friendly Farming
M. van den Oever Tree Nursery places great importance on environmentally friendly cultivation of trees and plants. A growing portion of our nursery is SKAL certified, and we are able to supply truly organically grown trees from our own nursery. The entire area of the tree nursery is therefore certified under PlanetProof. The PlanetProof standard imposes strict requirements on the use of fertilizers and crop protection products. But as ambassadors of sustainable cultivation, we go beyond these requirements.
Trees certified under PlanetProof meet the sustainability criteria established by the national government. For more information, visit planetproof and former eco-label.
Biodiversity at the Tree Nursery
At the tree nursery, we promote biodiversity in order to reduce our reliance on pesticides. Hedge rows around the plots and the sowing of flower mixtures on empty strips and during fallow years attract many beneficial insects, such as hoverflies, bumblebees, honeybees, and butterflies. These natural pest controllers help reduce pest pressure.
There are also many birdhouses hanging there. The birds eat harmful insects that would otherwise damage the trees.
NL Greenlabel: Plantlabel A
The NL Greenlabel Sustainability Passport provides insight into the sustainability performance of our products. Both our organically and conventionally grown nursery crops have received the highest rating: Plantlabel A.
View the certificates: organically grown and conventionally grown.
ISO 14001
In addition to our certification under ISO 9001 For quality management, we also have a ISO 14001 Certification for environmental management.
With ISO 14001, we have structurally embedded sustainability into our business operations. By continuously monitoring and improving our environmental aspects, we are actively working to reduce our impact on the environment. In doing so, we focus on areas such as energy consumption, raw materials, waste streams, emissions, and compliance with laws and regulations.
In this way, we combine quality and sustainability in a business model focused on continuous improvement and a future-proof living environment.
CO2 Performance Ladder
We reduce CO₂ in various ways2emissions. This involves the electrification of the vehicle and machinery fleets. All electricity used for electric vehicles, machinery, and business processes is 100% green. Since 2025, two diesel-powered aerial work platforms have been replaced with electric ones; this saves approximately 750 liters of diesel per platform per year.
All these efforts have been rewarded with Level 1 on the CO2-performance ladder. View the current certificate here. The ladder is managed and developed by the Foundation for Climate-Friendly Procurement and Business (SKAO).
Profit - People Who Work with You to Create Green Value
Creating Value Through Green Initiatives
- We create lasting value with trees that contribute to a healthy, climate-resilient, and attractive living environment.
- By providing the right tree for the right location, we increase the likelihood of sustainable growth and reduce management and replacement costs.
- We continuously invest in innovation, knowledge, and sustainable cultivation methods to provide our customers with future-proof solutions.
- Our organic and sustainable farming practices contribute to a robust and reliable supply chain over the long term.
- As a family-owned business, we strive for healthy growth: economic returns achieved with respect for people, the environment, and society.
- We do not view profit as an end in itself, but as a means to continue investing in quality, innovation, and a sustainable future.
Pleasure - People Who Work with You to Create Green Value
Collaborate
- We reinvest our profits in innovation and knowledge development, both externally (including Wageningen University and the HAS Green Academy) and internally (through mini-projects).
- We're happy when you receive compliments on your green spaces
- We won't be satisfied until you are—and our world is greener and better
- Simple logistics ordering and ‘just-in-time’ delivery provide peace of mind and eliminate stress
- Collaboration is the new way of working
Certifications
We are the first major Dutch tree nursery to be certified under the CO2 Performance Ladder.
Every tree planted is an oxygen factory and, for example, reduces the total annual CO2 emissions equivalent to driving an average of 250 kilometers!
Carbon footprint
With the CO2-footprint, we provide an annual breakdown of how much CO2 we emit. This CO2- The carbon footprint provides insight into where reductions are possible.
The CO2-You can find the 2025 footprint here. You can find previous footprints below in the documentation.
Documentation
To achieve our goals, it is important that we set out the agreements we have made with one another in an action plan. The energy management action plan describes the ‘plan-do-check-act’ cycle, which is intended to ensure continuous improvement in energy efficiency.
In addition, M. van den Oever is a transparent and open organization that has set itself the goal of building support for CO2-reduction by communicating openly with both internal and external parties. She does not shy away from engaging in dialogue with employees, customers, suppliers, and other supply chain partners to highlight the need for CO2-reduction. Please find the relevant documentation below.
Certificates
- CO₂ Performance Ladder, Level 1 (valid through October 3, 2029)
- On the Way to Planet Proof (valid through April 1, 2027)
- ISO 9001 (valid through April 30, 2027)
- ISO 14001 (valid through April 3, 2027)
- Greenlabel Plantlabel A, organically grown (valid through February 2027)
- Greenlabel Plantlabel A, conventionally grown (valid through February 2027)
Annual Reduction Results
2016 Results For 2017, the goal is to achieve a CO2 reduction of 4% compared to the base year of 2016. To achieve this, we are investing in, among other things, electric equipment and vehicles, employee training, and our own buildings.
2017 Results Unfortunately, M. van den Oever did not meet the reduction target set for 2017. The measures taken to reduce total CO2 emissions have yet to yield results. Total CO2 emissions increased by 2.6% compared to the base year 2016.
2018 Results Despite the significant increase in activities, we managed to reduce total CO2 emissions this year. CO2 emissions for 2018 fell by more than 5% compared to the base year of 2016.
2019 Results In 2019, CO2 emissions fell significantly. We emitted a total of more than 12% less CO2 compared to the reference year of 2016. The measures we’ve taken are yielding the desired results, and we expect this trend to continue in the coming years. Our employees’ awareness and efforts are making a significant contribution to this.
2020 Results The positive results have continued. We have achieved a reduction in CO2 emissions of more than 20% compared to the base year of 2016.
2021 Results Total CO2 emissions have decreased by more than 17% compared to the reference year 2016.
2022 Results Total CO2 emissions have decreased by more than 15% compared to the base year of 2016.
2023 Results We are taking various measures to reduce CO2 emissions, such as improving building insulation. Total CO2 emissions have decreased by more than 16% compared to 2016.
2024 Results We are actively working to replace diesel- and gasoline-powered machines and vehicles with electric alternatives. This includes fully electric vehicles and aerial work platforms. We have reduced CO2 emissions by more than 18% compared to 2016.
Supply Chain Initiatives for CO2 Reduction
M. van den Oever is undertaking several supply chain initiatives focused on CO2-reduction and sustainable soil management, in collaboration with HAS Den Bosch and other partners.
- Carbon as an Opportunity: In this project, agricultural entrepreneurs, the province, and the water district are collaborating to conduct research on CO2-sequestration in the soil by increasing the organic matter content. This also includes a course on data-driven soil management. More information
- Regular delivery days in the Netherlands: Combining partial orders and increasing truck load factors on fixed delivery days results in diesel savings. More information
- Weed Control Using Leaf Litter: In collaboration with the municipality of Oisterwijk, leaves collected from the municipality are used as a natural weed suppressant at the tree nursery. Leaf mulch reduces the need for mechanical weed control and cuts greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the amount of composting required. More information
For more information about M. van den Oever's supply chain initiatives, visit the SKAO website at this link.