I get it! Trees are EXPENSIVE. They are an investment in the first place and huge commitment to care for. You want to be sure that what you spend your hard earned money on will GROW. Fear not! There are many affordable, reliable and most importantly RESPONSIBLE options out there. Here are the Top 4 Places to Buy Trees Online and WHY.
I’m a busy mom and live in rural Montana. I don’t have time to drive 2+ hours to large commercial nurseries to shop for trees . . . and I don’t have the space to haul them all the way back home either.
I certainly don’t have money to WASTE on trees that are unhealthy, diseased or not hardy for my area. BUT I sure do LOVE gardening and making my outdoor spaces beautiful.
Can you relate?!
Do you ever wonder if you can count on online nurseries to supply QUALITY trees or shrubs – delivered right to your door? Do you fear they may show up half dead or just not be what you thought?
I too had these concerns when shopping for trees online but let me tell you –
IT is possible and you don’t have to worry about wasting your money and time! Let me share with you what I have learned about buying trees online.
A Few Things to Consider when Buying Trees Online
- Know your Hardiness Zone BEFORE you shop. There are so many trees/shrubs that are beautiful in pictures BUT if they are not made to grow in your climate they will die and you will have wasted your time and money.
The good new is – ALL 4 sites I recomend have a feature that allows you to shop for trees by your Hardiness/Growing Zone and some even by your state.
WATCH as I Unbox My First Online Citrus Tree Order
Also Consider this . . .
- Make sure the company ships to your area. Some companies may not ship to certain states.
- Is the product you are buying ALLOWED in your area? (Fore Example: Many citrus trees cannot be shipped to California to avoid introducing potential disease to native trees.
- Read the descriptions to know exactly what you are getting. – How old and large is the tree/bush or plant (standard, dwarf, semidwarf)? Is it coming to you bare root, wrapped in soil or is it already potted?
- Read the fine print about shipping (it can get spendy). Most sources I recommend offer either free shipping or DISCOUNTS on purchase over a certain $$.
- Consider your time of year. If you are intending to plant these trees outside, is it an appropriate time for them to be planted. Too Cold? Will you have to keep them inside for a time? Do you have space to do that? Will they have time to grow and develop a good root system before Fall/Winter?
All of these things are important to consider BEFORE you jump into spending any money on online trees.
OK! So here are my top 4 picks for Buying Trees Online
(in no specific order)
I will tell you that AFTER I ordered and paid out of pocket from Fast Growing Trees and Nature Hills – I signed up for AFFILIATE accounts. They did not give me free product and I am not being paid for a review. Because I simply loved their product, websites, varieties, business practices and values I reached out to them and ASKED to join. I decided – Why not SHARE them with others!
I get a small commission when you click on any of my Nature Hills and Fast Growing Trees links at no extra cost to you. You benefit from a wonderful shopping experience and I get a little incentive for your referral! WIN – WIN
Arbor Day Foundation
The Arbor Day Foundation is a classic, ethical and reliable source for trees and shrubs. I love that their site has a feature that allows you to enter your zip code and they’ll recommend trees that thrive in your area.
They are non-profit and function as a wonderful education resource as well. They have some amazing programs that give back to communities and the planet to become greener and healthier. You can feel good about your contribution to this organization.
The Arbor Day Foundation also guarantees a healthy delivery, which means they will replace your tree if it is damaged during delivery.
Membership options with Arbor Day Foundation include FREE trees planted in your name or subscription to their magazine.
Nature Hills
Nature Hills is a FAVORITE of mine for trees but also FLOWERS! The have an impressive selection of fruit trees and bushes but also perennials, vines bulbs and even houseplants.
You can shop by growing/hardiness zone or choose to shop plants by state. I really appreciate this feature!
Nature Hills’ “Plant Sentry” program is a one of a kind database that monitors live plants for invasive pests, species and disease. They recognize that not every plant is safe to ship from state to state and are committed to protecting plant ecoregions! How cool!
Stark Bro’s Nurseries & Orchards Co
Stark Bro’s is known for phenomenal quality and also customer service “since 1816”. They have a 1 year survival guarantee on all their products and will send you a replacement or provide you a credit! Wow!
Fruit, nut, landscape, berries – They have a HUGE selection as well with some hard to find, unique varieties of plants too.
I highly recommend the Stark Bro’s “Shop Deals” page for some really phenomenal discounts!
Fast Growing Trees
Fruit, flowering, shrubs, evergreens, patio & even houseplants. Fast Growing Trees has a HUGE selection that you can shop by hardiness zone or by state.
Every plant is backed by a 30 day guarantee. If your plant arrives with issues, contact them within 5 days for a replacement. Extra warranties on some items are also an option.
PLUS they also ship super fast. (like within 1-2 days on most items) I got my trees in rural NW Montana in less than 7 days. It was still cold at night BUT the trees (even though they were citrus) were well packaged and healthy on arrival.
Fast Growing Trees also has put together some really unique and fun Packs & Kits you can purchase. Maybe you’d enjoy the “Wine Lovers Kit” to grow your own grapes or “The Rare Houseplants Kit“.
So many fun ideas! I think I need this kit!!
(See Rare Houseplant kit to left)
I enjoyed Free Shipping on my order but noticed Fast Growing Trees does offer incredible discounts and sales.
Make sure to checkout Sales & Best Sellers!
I chose both a Meyer Lemon + Key Lime Pack and an Eastern Redbud from FastGrowingTrees.com. I planted them in large containers/buckets for now and moving the lemon and lime inside for Fall, Winter and early Spring.
But I do have a small greenhouse for them as well.
I will plant the Redbud outside later this Spring.
Above is the 4-5 ft Eastern Redbud. My husband is from North Carolina and I have been wanting to plant a Redbud in Montana for so long!
Not only was I impressed with Fast Growing Trees selection – they have a GORGEOUS Ideas & inspiration page too!
Watch my FIRST Ever Fast Growing Trees Unboxing
Shop Homemaking Without Fear Gardening Essentials on Amazon:
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Enjoy Gardening Inspiration from Homemaking without Fear
How to Maximize Small Garden Space
How to Grow Greens in Recycled Containers
What is your favorite tree or perennial? Drop it in the comment below!
Hey Friend,
Thanks for shopping trees with me! Man am I ready to get outside, partake in some dirt therapy and get planting. Montana is being it’s typical wacky weather self – snow one minute and sunshine the next. BUT friends the tulips and daffodils are poking through and what JOY and Hope that brings to my heart.
Happy Planting!
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