november bareroot sale — nationwide shipping
once a year in november, we open our field beds for a dormant-season bareroot sale. bareroot trees and shrubs are available for shipping nationwide via usps or ups. shipping is calculated at checkout based on bundle size and destination.
bareroot orders ship during the november sale window only. orders placed in advance are reservations for fall fulfillment and will be shipped once the plants are dormant and ready to dig.
what is a bareroot plant?
a bareroot plant is exactly what it sounds like: a living tree or shrub shipped without a pot or a heavy ball of soil around its roots.
our plants spend the growing season outdoors in nursery beds. after they go dormant in late fall, we dig them, remove excess soil from the roots, bundle them, and pack the roots in moist material for shipment. because dormant plants require very little water and can be shipped without pots and soil, bareroot production allows us to send substantial numbers of healthy plants at a fraction of the weight, packaging, and cost of conventional container-grown nursery stock.
not only is it cheaper, but in my experience, dormant bareroot trees vastly outgrow larger rootbound potted trees. it is a far more natural transplanting method and avoids transplant shock or unhealthy root systems.
bareroot plants may look surprisingly modest when they arrive. depending on the species and age, expect a dormant stem or small tree with a bundle of exposed roots—not a finished landscape plant in a pot. leaves may already have fallen, stems may be thin, and some fine roots may be lost during digging. this is normal– but these modest bareroots will outperform any larger potted trees that you plant in mid july.
when your plants arrive
open the package promptly and check that the roots are still moist. plant as soon as reasonably possible.
if you cannot plant immediately, keep the roots cool, dark, and moist. do not allow bareroot plants to dry out, and do not leave them sitting in a warm house or vehicle. for a longer delay, the plants can be temporarily heeled into moist soil or another suitable medium until planting.
once planted, water thoroughly to settle soil around the roots. keep the root zone adequately moist during establishment, particularly during the plant’s first growing season.
do not be alarmed if a fall-planted tree appears to do very little above ground before winter. dormant plants generally resume visible growth when conditions are appropriate in spring.
plant size & natural variation
unless a listing specifies otherwise, sizes are approximate. these are seed-grown nursery plants, and natural variation in height, branching, root form, and appearance is expected.
bareroot plants are also handled differently from container nursery stock: roots may be pruned during digging or packing when necessary for safe shipment. this is a normal part of bareroot nursery production.
photos on the website may show mature plants, parent plants, fruit, flowers, habitat, or representative nursery stock and should not be interpreted as a photograph of the exact individual plant you will receive. refer to the individual product listing for the approximate size and age of the stock being offered.
hardiness & establishment
we want these plants to thrive, but successful establishment ultimately depends on conditions after they leave the nursery. climate, planting technique, soil, drainage, browsing, drought, flooding, competition, and aftercare can all affect survival.
please check whether a species is appropriate for your climate and planting site before ordering. hardiness zones and growing information are provided as guidance rather than a guarantee of performance at a particular site.
local pickup
pickup at the nursery in alfred, maine is available by appointment. contact us to arrange a time.
larger orders may also qualify for delivery or other arrangements in maine and the surrounding region. contact us before ordering if you are planning a substantial planting.
for the right price, you can hire our team of expert nurserymen to plant the trees for you on your property!
shipping problems
bareroot orders are packed carefully with their roots protected in moist material for transit. please unpack plants promptly after delivery.
if an order arrives damaged, severely dried out, or otherwise in poor condition, contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photographs of the plants and packaging. we’ll work with you to make it right.