Has anyone ordered from this site? It was listed on a PC newsletter I
get, and I have wondered if what they supply is worth the modest
shipping. The plants are all bare root but "free", as explained on
their site. http://www.freetreesandplants.com/index.html
I've emailed them a couple of times with questions and have always
received a prompt and very courteous reply, but I have not yet
ordered. I was thinking of getting some bare root shrubs for this
fall.

Deb

Here is a good bare root supplier have have used in the past.
http://www.sln.potsdam.ny.us/

I have no experience with the company you mention.

Sincerely,
John A. Keslick, Jr.
Arborist
http://home.ccil.org/~treeman
and www.treedictionary.com
Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology.
Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding us
that we are not the boss.

"thistletoes" wrote in message
oups.com...

Has anyone ordered from this site? It was listed on a PC newsletter I
get, and I have wondered if what they supply is worth the modest
shipping. The plants are all bare root but "free", as explained on
their site. http://www.freetreesandplants.com/index.html
I've emailed them a couple of times with questions and have always
received a prompt and very courteous reply, but I have not yet
ordered. I was thinking of getting some bare root shrubs for this
fall.

Deb

On Jul 15, 11:09?am, thistletoes wrote:
Has anyone ordered from this site? It was listed on a PC newsletter I
get, and I have wondered if what they supply is worth the modest
shipping. The plants are all bare root but "free", as explained on
their site.http://www.freetreesandplants.com/index.html
I've emailed them a couple of times with questions and have always
received a prompt and very courteous reply, but I have not yet
ordered. I was thinking of getting some bare root shrubs for this
fall.

Deb

Hi--I've been gardening for quite a few years,and one thing I've
learned is to never buy plamt or tree life of any kind online.Before I
buy a plant,I must inspect it for disease,root rot,pests,etc.Even when
I purchase from a nursery,I keep the plant isolated from my others for
at least 2-3 weeks to make sure it's healthy and to safeguard my other
plants.Also,there a a lot of websites that sell all sorts of live
plants and such for "free"--but demand a high shipping and handling
charge.To me,that's not really "free" after all.Hope this helps.

-Henny
http://suitegardener.blogspot.com

"thistletoes" wrote in message
oups.com...

Has anyone ordered from this site? It was listed on a PC newsletter I
get, and I have wondered if what they supply is worth the modest
shipping. The plants are all bare root but "free", as explained on
their site. http://www.freetreesandplants.com/index.html
I've emailed them a couple of times with questions and have always
received a prompt and very courteous reply, but I have not yet
ordered. I was thinking of getting some bare root shrubs for this
fall.

Deb

Two years ago I purchased a number of trees and perennials from them and
after the processing and shipping charges I found that I could have gotten
better plants locally for about the same price. The trees were about a foot
tall after potting them up and the perennials were smaller than plants that
I would normally get from a local nursery or mail order.
I see on the website that they have changed the planting instructions but
when I got mine they came with instructions to pot them up and grow them in
pots till they are big enough to plant in the garden. The trees that I
planted in 5 gallon pots are now large enough that I am thinking about
planting them in the yard this fall.

If you want to support workers with disabilities you could consider what you
pay for the plants as a donation but if you want good strong plants go to a
nursery.

Bill

On Jul 15, 11:09?am, thistletoes wrote:
Has anyone ordered from this site? It was listed on a PC newsletter I
get, and I have wondered if what they supply is worth the modest
shipping. The plants are all bare root but "free", as explained on
their site.http://www.freetreesandplants.com/index.html
I've emailed them a couple of times with questions and have always
received a prompt and very courteous reply, but I have not yet
ordered. I was thinking of getting some bare root shrubs for this
fall.

They want only like $7 shipping, you can't drive to the mall for that,
and isn't your time worth anything... I never consider the shipping
costs, especaillly not now that I'm paying well over three dollars a
gallon.

I buy a lot of plants from http://www.naturehills.com , I've nver
been disappointed. And bare root seedings usually out perform potted
trees from teh loack nursery... the bare root trees begin to grow when
first planted, the potted trees will need a minimum of three years to
revive from transplant shock before showing any growth. After three
years the bareroot trees are typically larger than the potted
saplings.

I've had no luck with http://www.arborday.org they send dead plant
stock... save your money.

thistletoes wrote:

Has anyone ordered from this site? It was listed on a PC newsletter I
get, and I have wondered if what they supply is worth the modest
shipping. The plants are all bare root but "free", as explained on
their site. http://www.freetreesandplants.com/index.html
I've emailed them a couple of times with questions and have always
received a prompt and very courteous reply, but I have not yet
ordered. I was thinking of getting some bare root shrubs for this
fall.

Deb

First of all, it sounds like a come on. There are legitimate sites that give

away small trees to help the environment, but these people look like they
have other purposes in mind.

You may receive some tiny tiny trees which will require lots of patience
to see a decent result. For fruit trees, they may be seedlings, in which
case
you could get poor fruit and/or an ungrafted tree eventually giving you a
a very big tree, and even more delay in years to produce fruit. If you want
to save money, link up with a garden club that teaches grafting and make
your own fruit tree. Decorative trees can also be found on the web for
reasonable prices.

Sherwin D.

On Jul 15, 10:34 pm, sherwindu wrote:
thistletoes wrote:
Has anyone ordered from this site? It was listed on a PC newsletter I
get, and I have wondered if what they supply is worth the modest
shipping. The plants are all bare root but "free", as explained on
their site.http://www.freetreesandplants.com/index.html
I've emailed them a couple of times with questions and have always
received a prompt and very courteous reply, but I have not yet
ordered. I was thinking of getting some bare root shrubs for this
fall.

Deb

First of all, it sounds like a come on. There are legitimate sites that give

away small trees to help the environment, but these people look like they
have other purposes in mind.

You may receive some tiny tiny trees which will require lots of patience
to see a decent result. For fruit trees, they may be seedlings, in which
case
you could get poor fruit and/or an ungrafted tree eventually giving you a
a very big tree, and even more delay in years to produce fruit. If you want
to save money, link up with a garden club that teaches grafting and make
your own fruit tree. Decorative trees can also be found on the web for
reasonable prices.

Sherwin D.

Ok, all your comments help a lot. I'll take a look at the sites you
have used with good results. I normally know better than to order
with a "come on" like the free product with modest shipping, but guess
I felt a little compelled because of their story. I don't have enough
time left in my life to mess around with foot tall trees. While I
might root trees, like those Aussie willows on my own, that's my
choice. I wouldn't want to pay $7.95 for two of those little wimpy
things.

Wiser now... Deb :-)

thistletoes wrote:

I don't have enough time left in my life to mess around with foot tall trees.

Then you shouldn't even consider mail order trees. If you're a
middle aged person you need to go to a local nursery and purchase
substantially sized trees; balled and burlaped and a minimum of 3"
caliper... and even then it's unlikely you'll live long enough to sit
in the shade of any type of sapling tree, even those that are fast
growing will need nearly 20 years before they look much like a shade
tree... the first 3-4 years they won't exhibit any growth. The truth
is that when you plant a tree it's for future generations, not for
you... your enjoyment can only be in knowing that future generations
will enjoy the fruits of you labor. Maybe you would do better
planting a perennial garden.

I planted many mail order trees and quite a few larger trees from a
local nursery (in fact they were much too large for me to plant, the
nursery sent a crew with heavy equipment to plant them). I realize
that my main enjoyment is in that they lived and will one day be a
tree, but long after I'm gone. Even the fastest grower, a sycamore,
will need many more years before it begins to look representive of
it's mature state. The sycamore was a bareroot from Nature Hills, was
a three foot tall twig in a carboard box when it arrived, now it's
nine feet tall, but has many years to go. I ordered a second one the
next year, it's trying to catch up.

Second summer: http://i18.tinypic.com/54knpli.jpg

Third summer (last year): http://i19.tinypic.com/4xx0aad.jpg

Fourth summer (this year): http://i12.tinypic.com/4p13cpx.jpg

On Jul 16, 8:33 am, Sheldon wrote:
thistletoes wrote:

I don't have enough time left in my life to mess around with foot tall trees.

Then you shouldn't even consider mail order trees. If you're a
middle aged person you need to go to a local nursery and purchase
substantially sized trees; balled and burlaped and a minimum of 3"
caliper... and even then it's unlikely you'll live long enough to sit
in the shade of any type of sapling tree, even those that are fast
growing will need nearly 20 years before they look much like a shade
tree... the first 3-4 years they won't exhibit any growth. The truth
is that when you plant a tree it's for future generations, not for
you... your enjoyment can only be in knowing that future generations
will enjoy the fruits of you labor. Maybe you would do better
planting a perennial garden.

I planted many mail order trees and quite a few larger trees from a
local nursery (in fact they were much too large for me to plant, the
nursery sent a crew with heavy equipment to plant them). I realize
that my main enjoyment is in that they lived and will one day be a
tree, but long after I'm gone. Even the fastest grower, a sycamore,
will need many more years before it begins to look representive of
it's mature state. The sycamore was a bareroot from Nature Hills, was
a three foot tall twig in a carboard box when it arrived, now it's
nine feet tall, but has many years to go. I ordered a second one the
next year, it's trying to catch up.

Second summer:http://i18.tinypic.com/54knpli.jpg

Third summer (last year):http://i19.tinypic.com/4xx0aad.jpg

Fourth summer (this year):http://i12.tinypic.com/4p13cpx.jpg

Yes, I am a middle-aged person, normally sensible & cautious.
However, I am currently living in a remote enough area that it is
inconvenient to make my way to a nursery. It is likely I will live
here till I die.

I find myself in a somewhat frustrating position. We do have a tiny
nursery in the nearest village but several trees purchased there have
been infected or otherwise defective and have died. It isn't my lack
of care - they have an increasingly bad reputation. Worse, their
guarantee is worth nothing. Only the Autumn Flame Maples have done
well from that source, but they cost a blessed fortune and were
brought up and planted by a landscaping company. They are now 12 feet
tall even after 8-9 years, which I think is a bit slow since they were
6' when planted, not including the pot.

The next best nursery is decent but is 60 miles away. The issue is
that if I purchase a tree of any size, meaning over 5 feet tall,
transport is difficult and costly. We have a pickup truck with normal
size bed, but we would have to lay the trees down to transport,
otherwise the wind generated by going down a highway would batter them
senseless. Even then, they would sustain some damage if the tree is
of decent size. On top of that, gas here is $3 a gallon and pickup
trucks are not known for economy. I guess if we purchased a large
enough number of trees, the trip would be worth while, if we could
protect the trees. That's why I was considering mail order and
thought someone might suggest a reputable one.

Trees I've grown from seedlings have done well and after 5 years, some
of the pin oaks (from acorns, mind you) are 8 feet tall. That thrills
me that they even grew, as you commented about yours. However, as you
point out, I am unlikely to live long enough to see them in their full
glory. Still, a 12 foot tree is better than a perennial garden.
Perennials are wonderful, I just need something different for this
particular situation. The irony is that there are Ponderosa pines,
Noble Fir, and hundreds of other conifers in the back half and along
one side of my land, some 60' tall or more. Yet on the road side on
my place, only a scanty few. I have desire for beauty, privacy and
blockage of the dust from the gravel road that borders me on 2
sides.

As for the perennials, I have planted some native shrubs around the
perimeter of the back deck and down the driveway. Those are doing
reasonably well. They just aren't quite the same as a nice, tall tree
out front. :-)

I appreciate your advice, however. I can strive to live another 40
years and then perhaps I will have the trees I want. I may be too
blind to see them, but I'll know they are there, I hope.

Deb :-)

In article . com,
thistletoes wrote:

On Jul 16, 8:33 am, Sheldon wrote:
thistletoes wrote:

I don't have enough time left in my life to mess around with foot tall
trees.

I do trees for the next generation. Scrubs too for that matter.

A story.

Seems the beams in Harvard or some other long lived school were
rotting. They were massive and would be very expensive to replace.
After much talk and quibbling the gardener was called in.

He said Oh those planks have beetle damage every three hundred
years. That's why we grow replacements.

Bill who butchered the story not too bad I hope.

--

S Jersey USA Zone 5 Shade
http://www.ocutech.com/ High tech Vison aid
This article is posted under fair use rules in accordance with
Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, and is strictly for the educational
and informative purposes. This material is distributed without profit.

thistletoes wrote:

On Jul 16, 8:33 am, Sheldon wrote:
thistletoes wrote:

I don't have enough time left in my life to mess around with foot tall trees.

Then you shouldn't even consider mail order trees. If you're a
middle aged person you need to go to a local nursery and purchase
substantially sized trees; balled and burlaped and a minimum of 3"
caliper... and even then it's unlikely you'll live long enough to sit
in the shade of any type of sapling tree, even those that are fast
growing will need nearly 20 years before they look much like a shade
tree... the first 3-4 years they won't exhibit any growth. The truth
is that when you plant a tree it's for future generations, not for
you... your enjoyment can only be in knowing that future generations
will enjoy the fruits of you labor. Maybe you would do better
planting a perennial garden.

I planted many mail order trees and quite a few larger trees from a
local nursery (in fact they were much too large for me to plant, the
nursery sent a crew with heavy equipment to plant them). I realize
that my main enjoyment is in that they lived and will one day be a
tree, but long after I'm gone. Even the fastest grower, a sycamore,
will need many more years before it begins to look representive of
it's mature state. The sycamore was a bareroot from Nature Hills, was
a three foot tall twig in a carboard box when it arrived, now it's
nine feet tall, but has many years to go. I ordered a second one the
next year, it's trying to catch up.

Second summer:http://i18.tinypic.com/54knpli.jpg

Third summer (last year):http://i19.tinypic.com/4xx0aad.jpg

Fourth summer (this year):http://i12.tinypic.com/4p13cpx.jpg

Yes, I am a middle-aged person, normally sensible & cautious.
However, I am currently living in a remote enough area that it is
inconvenient to make my way to a nursery. It is likely I will live
here till I die.

I find myself in a somewhat frustrating position. We do have a tiny
nursery in the nearest village but several trees purchased there have
been infected or otherwise defective and have died. It isn't my lack
of care - they have an increasingly bad reputation. Worse, their
guarantee is worth nothing. Only the Autumn Flame Maples have done
well from that source, but they cost a blessed fortune and were
brought up and planted by a landscaping company. They are now 12 feet
tall even after 8-9 years, which I think is a bit slow since they were
6' when planted, not including the pot.

The next best nursery is decent but is 60 miles away. The issue is
that if I purchase a tree of any size, meaning over 5 feet tall,
transport is difficult and costly. We have a pickup truck with normal
size bed, but we would have to lay the trees down to transport,
otherwise the wind generated by going down a highway would batter them
senseless. Even then, they would sustain some damage if the tree is
of decent size. On top of that, gas here is $3 a gallon and pickup
trucks are not known for economy. I guess if we purchased a large
enough number of trees, the trip would be worth while, if we could
protect the trees. That's why I was considering mail order and
thought someone might suggest a reputable one.

Trees I've grown from seedlings have done well and after 5 years, some
of the pin oaks (from acorns, mind you) are 8 feet tall. That thrills
me that they even grew, as you commented about yours. However, as you
point out, I am unlikely to live long enough to see them in their full
glory. Still, a 12 foot tree is better than a perennial garden.
Perennials are wonderful, I just need something different for this
particular situation. The irony is that there are Ponderosa pines,
Noble Fir, and hundreds of other conifers in the back half and along
one side of my land, some 60' tall or more. Yet on the road side on
my place, only a scanty few. I have desire for beauty, privacy and
blockage of the dust from the gravel road that borders me on 2
sides.

As for the perennials, I have planted some native shrubs around the
perimeter of the back deck and down the driveway. Those are doing
reasonably well. They just aren't quite the same as a nice, tall tree
out front. :-)

I appreciate your advice, however. I can strive to live another 40
years and then perhaps I will have the trees I want. I may be too
blind to see them, but I'll know they are there, I hope.

Deb :-)

Planting or transplanting any tree over five feet tall is pretty risky. You have
to
be sure you get most of the roots out with the tree. I would suggest you think
about mail order again, as they do sell dry root trees up to 5 feet tall. You may

also want to consider fast growing varieties, like a Japanese Yew. In your case,
there are no easy answers.

Sherwin

thistletoes wrote:
Sheldon wrote:
thistletoes wrote:

I don't have enough time left in my life to mess around with foot tall trees.

Then you shouldn't even consider mail order trees. If you're a
middle aged person you need to go to a local nursery and purchase
substantially sized trees; balled and burlaped and a minimum of 3"
caliper... and even then it's unlikely you'll live long enough to sit
in the shade of any type of sapling tree, even those that are fast
growing will need nearly 20 years before they look much like a shade
tree... the first 3-4 years they won't exhibit any growth. The truth
is that when you plant a tree it's for future generations, not for
you... your enjoyment can only be in knowing that future generations
will enjoy the fruits of you labor. Maybe you would do better
planting a perennial garden.

I planted many mail order trees and quite a few larger trees from a
local nursery (in fact they were much too large for me to plant, the
nursery sent a crew with heavy equipment to plant them). I realize
that my main enjoyment is in that they lived and will one day be a
tree, but long after I'm gone. Even the fastest grower, a sycamore,
will need many more years before it begins to look representive of
it's mature state. The sycamore was a bareroot from Nature Hills, was
a three foot tall twig in a carboard box when it arrived, now it's
nine feet tall, but has many years to go. I ordered a second one the
next year, it's trying to catch up.

Second summer:http://i18.tinypic.com/54knpli.jpg

Third summer (last year):http://i19.tinypic.com/4xx0aad.jpg

Fourth summer (this year):http://i12.tinypic.com/4p13cpx.jpg

Yes, I am a middle-aged person, normally sensible & cautious.
However, I am currently living in a remote enough area that it is
inconvenient to make my way to a nursery. It is likely I will live
here till I die.

Ditto. Except I'm past middle aged.

I find myself in a somewhat frustrating position. We do have a tiny
nursery in the nearest village but several trees purchased there have
been infected or otherwise defective and have died. It isn't my lack
of care - they have an increasingly bad reputation. Worse, their
guarantee is worth nothing. Only the Autumn Flame Maples have done
well from that source, but they cost a blessed fortune and were
brought up and planted by a landscaping company. They are now 12 feet
tall even after 8-9 years, which I think is a bit slow since they were
6' when planted, not including the pot.

The next best nursery is decent but is 60 miles away. The issue is
that if I purchase a tree of any size, meaning over 5 feet tall,
transport is difficult and costly. We have a pickup truck with normal
size bed, but we would have to lay the trees down to transport,
otherwise the wind generated by going down a highway would batter them
senseless. Even then, they would sustain some damage if the tree is
of decent size.

I live in a fairly rural area as well. The nearest respectable plant
nursery is a good 45 minute run, others are further. But I typically
meld multiple stops into my forays, so making a small detour to a
nursery is not any significant hardship in time or transportation
cost. All of the nurserys around here are aware that people travel a
distance so they package purchases with plastic wind protective
sheeting. I've not had a problem with wind damage... and I also lay
trees down in an open truck. I also keep a number of old blankets in
the truck at all times, I never know when I will need to protect
something in transport as I frequent local estate auctions; I have an
old lamp fetish.

With larger trees the reputable nurserys will deliver and plant for a
nominal fee. I've found it pays to get on good terms with the
nurserys, I return their pots and flats, often containing some plants
when I have extras and I usually do. In turn they give me nice
discounts. I also trade with my neighbors, that's a good way to
expand on variety. I have a large variety of trees growing on my
property and there are huge numbers of saplings growing at the edges
of my woods... I'd rather dig them up and give them away than mow them
down.

On top of that, gas here is $3 a gallon and pickup
trucks are not known for economy. I guess if we purchased a large
enough number of trees, the trip would be worth while, if we could
protect the trees. That's why I was considering mail order and
thought someone might suggest a reputable one.

Gas is more than $3/gal most everywhere (my vehical gets only 12 miles/
gal), but I use it judiciously, my days of joyriding are long past.
Since I've retired I have no need to commute so the miles I now drive
average about 50 miles/month over a year. Last year I logged just
over 500 miles. I wish I didn't need to drive but alas there are some
necessary trips.

I still purchase some plants by mail order, because they are just not
available locally. I searched every nursery within a 100 miles for
almost a year but none carried sycamores, so I finally ordered the
bareroot seedlings from Nature Hills... I think they are doing very
well, I'm pleased.

On Jul 20, 8:33 am, Sheldon wrote:
thistletoes wrote:
Sheldon wrote:
thistletoes wrote:

I don't have enough time left in my life to mess around with foot tall trees.

Then you shouldn't even consider mail order trees. If you're a
middle aged person you need to go to a local nursery and purchase
substantially sized trees; balled and burlaped and a minimum of 3"
caliper... and even then it's unlikely you'll live long enough to sit
in the shade of any type of sapling tree, even those that are fast
growing will need nearly 20 years before they look much like a shade
tree... the first 3-4 years they won't exhibit any growth. The truth
is that when you plant a tree it's for future generations, not for
you... your enjoyment can only be in knowing that future generations
will enjoy the fruits of you labor. Maybe you would do better
planting a perennial garden.

I planted many mail order trees and quite a few larger trees from a
local nursery (in fact they were much too large for me to plant, the
nursery sent a crew with heavy equipment to plant them). I realize
that my main enjoyment is in that they lived and will one day be a
tree, but long after I'm gone. Even the fastest grower, a sycamore,
will need many more years before it begins to look representive of
it's mature state. The sycamore was a bareroot from Nature Hills, was
a three foot tall twig in a carboard box when it arrived, now it's
nine feet tall, but has many years to go. I ordered a second one the
next year, it's trying to catch up.

Second summer:http://i18.tinypic.com/54knpli.jpg

Third summer (last year):http://i19.tinypic.com/4xx0aad.jpg

Fourth summer (this year):http://i12.tinypic.com/4p13cpx.jpg

Yes, I am a middle-aged person, normally sensible & cautious.
However, I am currently living in a remote enough area that it is
inconvenient to make my way to a nursery. It is likely I will live
here till I die.

Ditto. Except I'm past middle aged.



I find myself in a somewhat frustrating position. We do have a tiny
nursery in the nearest village but several trees purchased there have
been infected or otherwise defective and have died. It isn't my lack
of care - they have an increasingly bad reputation. Worse, their
guarantee is worth nothing. Only the Autumn Flame Maples have done
well from that source, but they cost a blessed fortune and were
brought up and planted by a landscaping company. They are now 12 feet
tall even after 8-9 years, which I think is a bit slow since they were
6' when planted, not including the pot.

The next best nursery is decent but is 60 miles away. The issue is
that if I purchase a tree of any size, meaning over 5 feet tall,
transport is difficult and costly. We have a pickup truck with normal
size bed, but we would have to lay the trees down to transport,
otherwise the wind generated by going down a highway would batter them
senseless. Even then, they would sustain some damage if the tree is
of decent size.

I live in a fairly rural area as well. The nearest respectable plant
nursery is a good 45 minute run, others are further. But I typically
meld multiple stops into my forays, so making a small detour to a
nursery is not any significant hardship in time or transportation
cost. All of the nurserys around here are aware that people travel a
distance so they package purchases with plastic wind protective
sheeting. I've not had a problem with wind damage... and I also lay
trees down in an open truck. I also keep a number of old blankets in
the truck at all times, I never know when I will need to protect
something in transport as I frequent local estate auctions; I have an
old lamp fetish.

With larger trees the reputable nurserys will deliver and plant for a
nominal fee. I've found it pays to get on good terms with the
nurserys, I return their pots and flats, often containing some plants
when I have extras and I usually do. In turn they give me nice
discounts. I also trade with my neighbors, that's a good way to
expand on variety. I have a large variety of trees growing on my
property and there are huge numbers of saplings growing at the edges
of my woods... I'd rather dig them up and give them away than mow them
down.

On top of that, gas here is $3 a gallon and pickup
trucks are not known for economy. I guess if we purchased a large
enough number of trees, the trip would be worth while, if we could
protect the trees. That's why I was considering mail order and
thought someone might suggest a reputable one.

Gas is more than $3/gal most everywhere (my vehical gets only 12 miles/
gal), but I use it judiciously, my days of joyriding are long past.
Since I've retired I have no need to commute so the miles I now drive
average about 50 miles/month over a year. Last year I logged just
over 500 miles. I wish I didn't need to drive but alas there are some
necessary trips.

I still purchase some plants by mail order, because they are just not
available locally. I searched every nursery within a 100 miles for
almost a year but none carried sycamores, so I finally ordered the
bareroot seedlings from Nature Hills... I think they are doing very
well, I'm pleased.

I am envious to hear that nurseries in your area will deliver and
plant a tree for a nominal fee as you put it. The one nearest me,
about 10 miles down the mountain doesn't even answer their phone.

Deb

On Jul 20, 5:52?pm, thistletoes wrote:
On Jul 20, 8:33 am, Sheldon wrote:





thistletoes wrote:
Sheldon wrote:
thistletoes wrote:

I don't have enough time left in my life to mess around with foot tall trees.

Then you shouldn't even consider mail order trees. If you're a
middle aged person you need to go to a local nursery and purchase
substantially sized trees; balled and burlaped and a minimum of 3"
caliper... and even then it's unlikely you'll live long enough to sit
in the shade of any type of sapling tree, even those that are fast
growing will need nearly 20 years before they look much like a shade
tree... the first 3-4 years they won't exhibit any growth. The truth
is that when you plant a tree it's for future generations, not for
you... your enjoyment can only be in knowing that future generations
will enjoy the fruits of you labor. Maybe you would do better
planting a perennial garden.

I planted many mail order trees and quite a few larger trees from a
local nursery (in fact they were much too large for me to plant, the
nursery sent a crew with heavy equipment to plant them). I realize
that my main enjoyment is in that they lived and will one day be a
tree, but long after I'm gone. Even the fastest grower, a sycamore,
will need many more years before it begins to look representive of
it's mature state. The sycamore was a bareroot from Nature Hills, was
a three foot tall twig in a carboard box when it arrived, now it's
nine feet tall, but has many years to go. I ordered a second one the
next year, it's trying to catch up.

Second summer:http://i18.tinypic.com/54knpli.jpg

Third summer (last year):http://i19.tinypic.com/4xx0aad.jpg

Fourth summer (this year):http://i12.tinypic.com/4p13cpx.jpg

Yes, I am a middle-aged person, normally sensible & cautious.
However, I am currently living in a remote enough area that it is
inconvenient to make my way to a nursery. It is likely I will live
here till I die.

Ditto. Except I'm past middle aged.

I find myself in a somewhat frustrating position. We do have a tiny
nursery in the nearest village but several trees purchased there have
been infected or otherwise defective and have died. It isn't my lack
of care - they have an increasingly bad reputation. Worse, their
guarantee is worth nothing. Only the Autumn Flame Maples have done
well from that source, but they cost a blessed fortune and were
brought up and planted by a landscaping company. They are now 12 feet
tall even after 8-9 years, which I think is a bit slow since they were
6' when planted, not including the pot.

The next best nursery is decent but is 60 miles away. The issue is
that if I purchase a tree of any size, meaning over 5 feet tall,
transport is difficult and costly. We have a pickup truck with normal
size bed, but we would have to lay the trees down to transport,
otherwise the wind generated by going down a highway would batter them
senseless. Even then, they would sustain some damage if the tree is
of decent size.

I live in a fairly rural area as well. The nearest respectable plant
nursery is a good 45 minute run, others are further. But I typically
meld multiple stops into my forays, so making a small detour to a
nursery is not any significant hardship in time or transportation
cost. All of the nurserys around here are aware that people travel a
distance so they package purchases with plastic wind protective
sheeting. I've not had a problem with wind damage... and I also lay
trees down in an open truck. I also keep a number of old blankets in
the truck at all times, I never know when I will need to protect
something in transport as I frequent local estate auctions; I have an
old lamp fetish.

With larger trees the reputable nurserys will deliver and plant for a
nominal fee. I've found it pays to get on good terms with the
nurserys, I return their pots and flats, often containing some plants
when I have extras and I usually do. In turn they give me nice
discounts. I also trade with my neighbors, that's a good way to
expand on variety. I have a large variety of trees growing on my
property and there are huge numbers of saplings growing at the edges
of my woods... I'd rather dig them up and give them away than mow them
down.

On top of that, gas here is $3 a gallon and pickup
trucks are not known for economy. I guess if we purchased a large
enough number of trees, the trip would be worth while, if we could
protect the trees. That's why I was considering mail order and
thought someone might suggest a reputable one.

Gas is more than $3/gal most everywhere (my vehical gets only 12 miles/
gal), but I use it judiciously, my days of joyriding are long past.
Since I've retired I have no need to commute so the miles I now drive
average about 50 miles/month over a year. Last year I logged just
over 500 miles. I wish I didn't need to drive but alas there are some
necessary trips.

I still purchase some plants by mail order, because they are just not
available locally. I searched every nursery within a 100 miles for
almost a year but none carried sycamores, so I finally ordered the
bareroot seedlings from Nature Hills... I think they are doing very
well, I'm pleased.

I am envious to hear that nurseries in your area will deliver and
plant a tree for a nominal fee as you put it. The one nearest me,
about 10 miles down the mountain doesn't even answer their phone.

Hmm, then I would assume they are not in business anymore, I'd go
elsewhere. Stores like Lowes, Home Depot, and Walmart have nice
nursery stock but their plants are small enough to transport and plant
yourself. But the large independant nurseries here in NY sell all
size plants and will deliver and plant for a fair price, but of course
the large plants aren't cheap. I purchased a 12 ft dawn redwood from
my favorite nursery for $450, they charged $150 to deliver and plant
it.... I considered that a very fair price considering the tree with
rootball must have weighed some 700 pounds. That was four years ago,
the tree is now about 20 feet tall and doing very well. I also bought
a dawn redwood in a 5 gallon pot, 4 foot tall, cost $59, that I
brought home and planted myself... has a very long way to go before it
catches up with the larger tree.