1862
Johannes Hubertus Ebben establishes the 'First Land of Cuijk Tree Nurseries'. He learnt cultivation from the Crosiers of Saint Agatha, who possessed a wealth of knowledge on cultivation of trees. The tree nursery covered an area of five hectares and specialised in the cultivation of fruit trees and the creation of gardens at cloisters, churches and schools.
1909
Sons Wilhelmus and Henricus Ebben join the business. The nursery is renamed 'J.H. Ebben & Sons'. In 1921 - following the death of their father - the two brothers become owners of the tree nursery. The nursery specialises further in landscape architecture and begins to provide plant-related green advice to its clients, now spread across the country.
1951
Brothers André and Harrie Ebben - Wilhelmus' sons - start up their own tree nursery 'André Ebben Tree Cultivation'. Apart from knowledge and experience on cultivating trees, the sons have also inherited their father's passion for design and creation of green projects. This results in beautiful cloister and private gardens, with innovation in material use and application of unusual trees playing an increasingly important role.
1965
The tree nursery and design agency elements of the business are each given a separate location. The tree nursery remains at the location in Cuijk whilst the design agency and garden centre, including the cultivation of perennials, moves to Malden. In 1975 the tree nursery moves to the current location on the Beerseweg in Cuijk. The growing area increases to 75 hectares.
1988
Toon Ebben takes over his father's nursery and changes the company name to 'Boomkwekerij Ebben B.V.' (Ebben Nurseries B.V.). The cultivation of trees for avenues and export of these grows exponentially. The tree nursery is further specialised, new techniques are developed and put into practice. Through close contact with landscape architects throughout Europe, the range is extended with feathered trees, multi-stem trees and large solitary shrubs.
2009
Employees at the tree nursery specialise in environmentally-friendly crop protection and fertilisation and in September Ebben receives the Milieukeur ecolabel for all its products. The nursery now stretches over 350 hectares. The range is continuously expanded over the years with feathered trees, multi-stem trees, climbing trees, climate trees, topiary trees and large solitary shrubs.
2012
Ebben is 150 years old! The new office is opened and enters use. A beautiful auditorium provides space for large audiences. Ebben is the knowledge centre for tree cultivation, landscape architecture, dendrology and unusual applications of this. The nursery now covers 420 hectares, with around eighty permanent employees.
Future
Ebben Nurseries receives more and more requests for unusual projects in which the diversity of planting is what determines the identity and experience: zoos, amusement parks, hospitals, cemeteries and natural playgrounds. But green experience is increasingly also receiving the attention it deserves in the built environment. We have seen a shift towards mixed planting and space to allow the tree to reach full size in its natural shape. A perfect basis on which to continue building Ebben Nurseries' vision and passion.
