Dear supplier,

I am writing, on behalf of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (part of UK Government), as part of our preparations to be able to respond to any confirmed sighting of a yellow-legged hornet in 2026.

Specifically, I am updating our database on the suppliers that could be contacted to gain a quote from for the destruction/removal of a yellow-legged hornet nest.  This would entail tree climbing expertise and equipment to aid the destruction and removal of a yellow-legged hornet nest from a tree or building, including the removal of any undergrowth/branches that are obstructing access to it.  Agency staff would lead and manage the site, and a site survey would be provided to you as part of any request for quotation.

I have prepared a short table below that I would be grateful if you could complete by your earliest convenience, and where possible by the 20^th March 2026.  If you do not wish to be included on the Agency’s database, then you can either complete the first row of the below table only or just respond with a sentence to this e-mail.

The below table asks specific detail about your location (registered office/HQ) and the National Bee Unit regions (as per the attached map) where you could potentially go to destroy/remove a yellow-legged hornet nest. This is because the intention of the Agency is to contact the supplier who is closest to the postcode of a nest first with the site survey and a request for quotation, and to then progress (where necessary) to contact other suppliers. If you have more than one registered office/HQ, then please include the postcode and location of each. The table also asks whether you have your own PPE (bee/hornet suit) and access to a cherry picker.  Your responses to these two questions are to provide background information to the Agency, and any specific requirements would be included in the site survey that you would receive as part of a request for quotation.

Please contact me (details below) should you wish to discuss any aspect of this request.

Yours sincerely,

 | Deputy Head of Contract Management | Contract Management Team

Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)

Young Elliot Clarke, who came to us as a level 3 arb. student has now flown the Rylands nest. Having done stirling work for Rylands for 7 years he has now decided thave a go by himself. Having a young family, he wants to make his own way in the world. Good luck Elliot and thanks for your 7 years work.

A 250-300 year old Beech tree has sadly had to be removed at St. Peters School, York, due to it having Meripilus giganteus fungal butt rot. A tricky dismantle next to the Victorian school house, public highway & garden area. The tree leaned towards an antique summer house & required a full team to remove, with winch assisted felling. Our grab lorry will remove the main trunk, which weights 4 tons back to our yard for processing. A successful but tricky operation. Well done team & even the sun shone today!!!

Tree Surgeons Yorkshire

Just a few days works infilling a pond & using existing materials on site to lay down a shed base. Little jobs like these make a garden more in keeping with the customers ideas of use and enjoyment. It doesn’t cost much in the great scheme of things but make a huge difference to how a garden is used and enjoyed.

Mr Stuart Whicker, senior foreman at Ryland Horticulture Ltd. started as a YTS trainee back in 1985. Stuart ( Stu Bob or Bob as he is affectionately known) has been a loyal and important member at Rylands for 40 years.. man & boy! Having worked on many landscape & tree projects over the past 4 decades, Stuarts knowledge of the contracting industry is broad & professional. Having started his career at Askham Bryan College on the City & guilds courses, Stuart progressed through his LANTRA training & NPTC Assessments to become fully qualified in many aspects of arboriculture & landscape construction. He is a very hands on practical person, who achieves high standards of works & has a pride in what he does. Over the years he has become well liked & respected by Rylands customers, producing many high quality schemes for customers to enjoy.

Well done Stuart.. here’s to the next 40 years!!!!!