I pad $125 for a 4-5’ black locust, a 2-3’ southern magnolia and a 3-4’ Eastern Redbud. When the package arrived I was shocked at how light it was.
They basically wrapped the root balls of all three together, put some kind of gel next to them and wrapped it tightly with newspaper. The leaves on the magnolia are bone dry (the branch seems fine and is flexible and green underneath if I scratch it). The locust and redbud is just basically a scraggly branch each but seem hydrated.
Needless to say this is not what I expected. I’ve ordered from other online nurseries before without issues but those were shrubs that were individually potted and had lush foliage.
Is this normal?
by gvass
15 Comments
Yep. Totally normal if you ordered ***BARE ROOT.***
Typically they prune them to keep them lightweight and easy to ship and lower the cost (of said shipping). the bottoms are probably moist/(don’t worry if they’re not) due to watering before shipping.
If you prefer the potted varieties, some places DO ship them, but look for ones with a pot size (4 inch, 10 inch, gallon, etc).
Mostly I ordered cherries and citrus from various places and when recieved like this they bounce back, though the first year it’s harder because all tehy’re going to do is want to establish roots and foliage.
You could come to my place and just dig them up. I have a dozen or so in my yard.
Yes – just keep in mind that this tree won’t do a thing for a few years. Like not a thing. 3 years at minimum before it gives you a little love.
125 dollars. Jesus.
Are they the size they claimed?
This happened to me as well. I was disappointed also. I decided to be open minded and planted them in pots with good soil, treated them nice, kept them watered and was pleasantly surprised! I had bought 8 trees like yours and 7 survived. I was surprised at how fast they grow as well. I received them in the spring and planted them from the pots in the fall. Good luck!
I’ve never tried to order a 5′ tree.
I ordered 2-3′ and it looked like that, but then you’re not really worried about it growing back.
Here I’d be worried if the top half of the plant is dead and it ends up being a 2′ tree anyway
Thats wild. Out here, Moon Valley sells their smallest trees for $250 or $350 carryout price. Many are 6 to 8 feet tall, and the citrus already have fruit on them. And that place isnt cheap.
Perfectly normal for bare root (though yes seems pricey). I’ve received dormant and actively growing that way and had fine success. Plant with care, I supply lots of compost and mulch and mycorrhizae and maybe some organic root feeding stuff. Happy growing
lol
They will give them away on Arbor Day at your local extension office
You got robbed. But to be fair the price was obviously for bare root. And quite expensive for that matter. Expecting something in a container for that price is a bit naive. Not trying to be a jerk just being realistic.
You always want to buy a tree by caliper and not by height to avoid this situation .
The Missouri Conservation Department sells trees like those for a few dollars. Bare root bundles. Order from them next year! They sell to out of state residents.
What website did you order from?
Yep. Thats how they ship bare root.
Yes. Thats normal .
I’ll send you some sticks for 120