Fruit trees?

DamnearaFarm · #1 12/27/11, 06:04 AM

Does anyone have a particular nursery they'd recommend for dwarf and semi-dwarf fruit trees?
Anyone I should stay away from?

Thanks.

goatlady · #2 12/27/11, 06:08 AM

Starke Bros. has the best selections and stand behind their trees with a good guarantee. Millers is another company with a good rep and lots of soft fruits in addition to trees.

MoonRiver · #3 12/27/11, 07:00 AM

I'm trying to buy local now if I can. I bought a tree at Home Depot last spring that was bigger, healthier, and cheaper than what I had previously bought from a large nursery. I have bought from Starke Bros and other large nurseries and won't again unless I can't find a particular tree local.

I think my success with trees has only been about 50% over the last 4 years. A few trees never grew at all, some died during the 1st year, and some died the 2nd year. If they make it through 2 years, they seem to be OK.

6e · #4 12/27/11, 07:43 AM

We've always gotten ours from the local lumber stores like Home Depot or Lowe's and have had better luck with them than the trees from nurseries. You just have to watch and get the trees with straight trunks. They sell a lot of crooked trees. LOL

Use Less · #5 12/27/11, 08:35 AM

When you buy from big-box stores, try to find out where the trees were grown. Drastic climate-change isn't all so good for trees. I second both Stark's & Miller's, though the common rootstocks aren't so good for my conditions: clay & purged water. If you can take a largish order, try Wafler's in Wayne County, New York state, I think North Rose, NY. They are a solid source for commercial orchards here. Sue

Our Little Farm · #6 12/27/11, 08:55 AM

Buy from a local nursery if you can.

ceresone · #7 12/27/11, 08:55 AM

rather ironic someone mentioned Starks guarentee--I ordered over 2000 dollars worth from them because of their guarentee. finally, after saying order was sent three times, i finally got my trees. Then-They went bankrupt--and cancelled ALL guarentees.

Mutti · #8 12/27/11, 08:58 AM

Vernon Barnes is a nursery right in McMinnville,TN. In business for over 60 years. Exceptional prices on fruit trees...$7.98 for 3-4' peach trees for example. We have 10 different varieties of his trees, mostly apple and they have all done really well for us with several bearing already. Having spent hundreds over the years at Starks and other nurserys. I highly recommend Barnes. Carry dwarf,semi-dwarf trees. Also heirloom varieties. Many other trees/shrubs. Have yet to go on the internet but they have excellent service. Call 931-668-8576 for a catalog. I've already ordered peach and apricot trees for spring. When it comes down to it it is the care the tree receives during/after planting that really counts. An expensive tree poorly planted and not watered regularly during its' crucial first year hasn't any better chance of survival than a cheap Walmart tree. Only other place I've had good luck with trees is Jungs but alot more expensive.

Windy in Kansas · #9 12/27/11, 09:10 AM

Stark Bros. warranty information--- http://www.starkbros.com/our-company...CAA0A4D54DBB71

JuliaAnn · #10 12/27/11, 11:38 AM

I have had very good luck with Bay Laurel Nursery in California, but you being in Tennessee, you may have better options locally.

ksfarmer · #11 12/27/11, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceresone

rather ironic someone mentioned Starks guarentee--I ordered over 2000 dollars worth from them because of their guarentee. finally, after saying order was sent three times, i finally got my trees. Then-They went bankrupt--and cancelled ALL guarentees.

I wasn't aware that StarkBros nursery had ever taken out bankruptcy. I am very happy with the trees I got from them this fall and they do still have a warranty as referred to by Windy in the above post.

homesteadforty · #12 12/27/11, 01:12 PM

I'm happy with Trees of Antiquity. Everything came in a timely manner and was n great condition. Though I haven't had any fruit yet, the trees made it through last winter in good shape and grew well this year. With a little luck I may start getting some fruit this year.

Danaus29 · #13 12/27/11, 03:35 PM

I haven't ordered dwarf or semi-dwarf, yet. But I got fruiting shrubs and trees and nut bushes (hazelnut) last year and some shrub roses and was very pleased. I bought from Shumway and Miller. I got blueberries and a grape from Lowes. They have done well too. My $1 citrus trees from Lowes have done just fine in spite of the weedy pots. They do need to be replanted.

I'll be trying a new company this year because I want some salmonberries. And I will be ordering stuff I couldn't afford last year.

Raven12 · #14 12/27/11, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danaus29

My $1 citrus trees from Lowes have done just fine in spite of the weedy pots.

$1? What kind?

Danaus29 · #15 12/27/11, 05:34 PM

I bought lemon, lime and orange. One of each kind they had. When I got mine they had at least 100 trees left. I felt bad that I couldn't bring more home. They were last chance clearance, originally $12 or so.

HermitJohn · #16 12/27/11, 05:45 PM

Know your choices in rootstock. All dwarf or semi dwarf rootstocks are NOT equivalent. All varieties dont necessarily do well in all areas. You should know that dwarfing rootstocks dwarf the tree because they are weaker. I personally would suggest full size root stock and then prune the top to keep it dwarfish if that is what you want. But if you have very fertile soil with regular rains then dwarfing rootstocks will probably work for you.

Raven12 · #17 12/27/11, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danaus29

I bought lemon, lime and orange. One of each kind they had. When I got mine they had at least 100 trees left. I felt bad that I couldn't bring more home. They were last chance clearance, originally $12 or so.

They do ok in Ohio? I'm asking because Southern relatives have a lemon tree that they bring inside during the winter. I would love to have a dwarf lime down the road but I wasn't sure if I was in the right zone for that.

Danaus29 · #18 12/27/11, 06:02 PM

They do ok if you bring them in for the winter.

Stuff like that won't survive our typical winters. I wasn't even sure the hardy fig would survive in Ohio so it's inside also.

Charleen · #19 12/27/11, 06:21 PM

http://millernurseries.com/

oregon woodsmok · #20 12/27/11, 06:31 PM

Go to The Garden Watchdog and read reviews. The huge catalog companies that mail out catalogs to everybody tend to have a lot of bad reviews.

I only order where I can choose the rootstock.

Dave Wilson sells some of the best bare root trees, but they are wholesale only. If you go to their website, they will tell you who carries their trees in your area. There is also a program where you can order exactly what you want on the root stock you want and pick it up at your local dealer.

That eliminates the problem of the store not having the variety that you want.

I ordered nearly 30 custom grafted trees last spring. They are only about $6 each, but survival rate seems to be about 60%. Still, I ordered at least 2 of each variety so I have 1-2 of many old rare varieties. The only apple that didn't survive was Swaar, so I still have to get one of those.