Frequently Asked Questions

These are advanced size potted shrubs and trees – the larger the number the larger the container. Although height may not be much larger than bareroot, they are thicker with more branching and stem caliper. We use Rootmaker® brand containers to produce a container grown plant with a superior root system. These containers do not have the root circling problems of plastic containers and will have a more fibrous root system that supports a faster growing plant. Usually, you get twice the plant with a potted plant compared to a bareroot plant. Plants start growth quickly with no transplant shock.

Container Dimensions:

• #2 - 8 inch diameter x 10 inches tall
• #5 - 11 inch diameter x 12 inches tall
• #7 - 13 inch diameter x 12 inches tall
• #10 - 15 inch diameter x 14 inches tall
• #15 - 18 inch diameter x 14 inches tall
• #25 - 22 inch diameter x 18 inches tall
• Rootbag - 5 inch diameter x 9 inches tall

Most orders process, ship and deliver in 2 - 5 business days. Most orders typically ship on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday and deliver by Friday of the same week. You may also specify a delayed ship date if you are not ready to plant at time of your order.

All of our bareroot, Rapid Start containers and most of our 4 ft. rootbag plants can ship to your front door via UPS/FedEx. The advanced size (#2 ,#5, #7, #15 and #25) container plants are shipped via truck freight lines. Minimum charges for truck freight are $80. Call us for an exact shipping quote. Truck freight will not accept any plants over 8ft. in height. However, depending on the size of your order, we can arrange shipping of any size plant via our trucks.

Yes. Customer pick up is always welcome. This avoids all shipping and handling charges. Please call in advance to schedule. Also bring tarps to cover and protect your plants from wind during transport. In addition to plants listed in this brochure we have a large selection of plants in our nursery display including roses, Crimson Maples, Dawn Redwoods, boxwoods, lilacs, hemlocks, daylilies and more.

These plants are dug from the nursery when they are dormant and most of the soil is removed from the roots. Our sandy nursery soil develops a very fibrous root system for a healthy start. Plants are stored in our temperature controlled cooler until they are shipped. Extreme care is taken to keep roots moist at all times from the field to your door. Special moist packing material for all plants is the secret. Keep your trees in this material until planted.

Rootmaker® bags are designed to promote root branching and the growth of new roots at transplanting. These bags result in the following:

• greater efficiency in the absorption of water and nutrients
• increased growth rate
• reduced transplant shock
• overall superior performance compared to smooth plastic pots

Visit www.rootmaker.com for more information about this amazing technology.

Plants in Rapid Start containers are nurtured for 1-2 years in special Rootmaker® propagation trays or peat cubes creating a great root system. These are then transplanted and grown 1-2 more years in 4 x 5 inch pots with a soil mix containing biostimulants, trace minerals and slow release fertilizer for rapid growth in your landscape. NOTE: these containers are larger and plants have a more developed root system and branch structure than most little potted plants offered mail order or on the internet.

When planting potted stock under summer conditions (above 70 degrees) apply water every day for the first 7 days after planting. See our detailed planting instructions given with each order.

Yes. All terms, conditions and guarantee information is listed on our price list and order form. Click here for guarantee.

Trees and shrubs planted in the fall have possible growth rates 10-30% greater than spring plantings. Not all trees and shrubs can be planted in the fall. Please consult chart below for limitations.

When To Plant

Special Planting Notes

• Plant only plants that are hardy in your zone. Click here for zone map.
• To find your official USDA plant hardiness zone by zip code visit www.garden.org/zipzone/
• See zone rating on each plant
• Our plant warranty will be void if you plant trees or shrubs not hardy for your zone based on the zone map in this catalog
• Remove all bags and plastic containers before planting.
• In heavy clay, compacted or wet sites, plant all evergreen trees 2-3 inches above existing soil grade. Push soil against the rootball but do not put any soil over the top of the rootball for all container grown plants. For wet sites mound soil 12 inches and plant in the center of the mound.

All stock needs to be watered heavily at planting time to eliminate air pockets around the roots.

• 3 ft. Bareroot – dig 12”-18” diameter and 10” deep
• 4-8 ft. Bareroot – dig 12-24” diameter and 12” deep
• Rapid Start containers and all other containers – diameter of the hole should be 6-12 inches wider than the width of the container and the depth of the hole should be the same height as the container. See top of page for container dimensions.

Yes. This is extremely important in getting your plants off to a fast start. For best results mulch rows of plants 4 ft. wide and 2-3 inches deep – single shade trees mulch 5 ft. diameter area. Expect only half the growth rate at best if you do not follow these guidelines.

Skyrise trees – same size – planted at same time (see the difference in growth)
Mulch - applied at planting - 5 ft. Diameter	No Mulch - Just Sod
Both Pictures taken 12 weeks after planting 6 ft. bareroot Skyrise shade Trees
Mulching is an extremely important part of getting your plants off to a fast start.  For best results mulch rows of plants 4 ft wide and 2-3 inches deep--mulch single shade trees a 5 ft diameter area.  Expect only half the growth rate at best if you do not follow these guidelines.