blackjack
Junior Member
Posts: 65
Likes: 50
Location: Central MN
Zone: Zone 4B
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Post by blackjack on Nov 13, 2020 21:22:51 GMT -6
After watching the deer come every night to clean up the apples under my trees I've decided that I need to plant a lot more apple trees, in preparation for the day when I'm not able to plant my regular food plots. I know you get what you pay for but the local nurserys here in the Willmar area don't give them a way, a potted apple tree in the spring goes for about $40 nowadays... In the past I've bought end of the season leftovers at a discount from nurserys and Menards/Runnings, etc. to mixed success. I've also planted bareroot trees if I can find them at a good price. I've followed Starks website but they aren't the greatest deals either.
I'd like to find someplace where I could find a discount for buying 10-50 apple trees at a time.
Any ideas??
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Post by badgerfowl on Nov 13, 2020 21:30:11 GMT -6
Don’t do it! Put down the computer and run far away.
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Post by Catscratch on Nov 13, 2020 21:38:30 GMT -6
It's a sickness!
No clue about buying in bulk but I've had good luck with Turkey Creek.
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Post by biglakebass on Nov 13, 2020 21:53:20 GMT -6
Turkey creek is great but they are so so small.
I have bought bareroot from swedberg nursery the last 2 years. 40 bucks a tree. They r 7 ft tall after planted. Mega variety... but no multi tree discount
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Post by sd51555 on Nov 13, 2020 22:13:14 GMT -6
After watching the deer come every night to clean up the apples under my trees I've decided that I need to plant a lot more apple trees, in preparation for the day when I'm not able to plant my regular food plots. I know you get what you pay for but the local nurserys here in the Willmar area don't give them a way, a potted apple tree in the spring goes for about $40 nowadays... In the past I've bought end of the season leftovers at a discount from nurserys and Menards/Runnings, etc. to mixed success. I've also planted bareroot trees if I can find them at a good price. I've followed Starks website but they aren't the greatest deals either.
I'd like to find someplace where I could find a discount for buying 10-50 apple trees at a time.
Any ideas??
Make friends with an apple orchard. Them guys usually buy 50+ of each variety and get really good prices. You might be able to piggyback on their order and throw a few bucks on top for their troubles. You could also pick up some intel on best varieties and rootstocks for your area.
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Post by nhmountains on Nov 14, 2020 4:29:08 GMT -6
SmallChunk on here has had them in the past. He’s grafted several for people over the years.
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Post by smsmith on Nov 14, 2020 7:59:20 GMT -6
You aren't going to find large trees from any internet supplier, simply due to shipping issues. Shipping costs on a 7' bareroot tree would be prohibitive. Some online nurseries offer packages or multi-tree discounts. The largest caliper trees I've ever received from an internet nursery were from Adams County Nursery.
I didn't pick any up this year, but in previous years I've picked up a couple trees from Tree Top Nursery in Sauk Centre each fall. Those trees were large, as in 8-12' tall. It's their end of season sale, so the selection of varieties oftentimes is limited. The last trees I bought there were in 9/2019 and I paid around $35 a tree, I think normal prices range from $55-$75 depending on size.
From what I've seen buying trees from someone with a commercial Bailey's nursery account is likely your best bet for good sized trees at a lower cost. I don't know if MN Bowhunters still do a group buy, some MDHA chapters do but you have to be careful. I've seen pics from an MDHA tree sale day where all of the bareroot trees were stacked outside with nothing protecting the roots. Not how I want my bareroot trees handled.
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blackjack
Junior Member
Posts: 65
Likes: 50
Location: Central MN
Zone: Zone 4B
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Post by blackjack on Nov 14, 2020 8:10:12 GMT -6
I contacted the MDHA awhile back and their response was that the local chapter hadn't particpated (contributed) to the apple tree program so I was out of luck.
I know these nurseries are getting mass quantities of bareroot trees and putting them in pots and jacking up the price. If we could just find a source of bareroot trees I'll bet there are enough people on this forum that we could split an order of 50 or 100.
Thanks for the tips on a few online sources to check. I'll have to stop in at that place in Sauk Center, I've driven by there many times but never stopped in there.
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Post by smsmith on Nov 14, 2020 8:12:44 GMT -6
I contacted the MDHA awhile back and their response was that the local chapter hadn't particpated (contributed) to the apple tree program so I was out of luck. I know these nurseries are getting mass quantities of bareroot trees and putting them in pots and jacking up the price. If we could just find a source of bareroot trees I'll bet there are enough people on this forum that we could split an order of 50 or 100. Thanks for the tips on a few online sources to check. I'll have to stop in at that place in Sauk Center, I've driven by there many times but never stopped in there. Ask batman if MN Bowhunters is doing a group buy.
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Post by benmnwi on Nov 14, 2020 8:47:53 GMT -6
I don't know if smallchunk is still selling some grafted trees on the side, but I bet he could hook you up with several dozen trees at a better price than the standard $25/ tree. He is from north of the cities I believe and the orchard he planted looks excellent, so he knows his stuff and what varieties grow well in his area.
The trees I graft in the spring are typically 2' tall and ready to plant that fall. By the end of the following year they are the size of the 4' trees typically found at menards type stores.
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Post by smsmith on Nov 14, 2020 8:58:31 GMT -6
If you want "the best bang for your buck"...learn how to graft. Buy rootstocks in bulk and get scions from other fruit geeks for free. You end up with a tree for a couple bucks. It isn't the quick way to fruit, but it is the cheapest. Next cheapest would be to go with somebody like smallchunk. Buy a few big trees on sale to get more fruit on the ground quickly and fill the rest of your planting spots with trees you've grafted/had grafted by someone else.
edit...I just looked up my rootstock order for next spring. 10 antonovka and 10 ussurian pear shipped to the house from Burnt Ridge Nursery will be just over $80. I'll have under $5 in each tree I graft in 2021 (rootstock, parafilm, TreeKote, etc.). If you bought Red Splendor crabs from your local SWCD they'd be even cheaper for apple/crab rootstocks.
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Post by Bwoods11 on Nov 14, 2020 13:29:08 GMT -6
I’ve had pretty good luck with Turkey Creek Trees. Nice survival so far. Bought a KinderKrisp from Colorful Seasons in Alexandria (nice sized apple tree) for like $45?
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Post by biglakebass on Nov 14, 2020 13:48:43 GMT -6
Swedberg the trees are $40. Lots of variety of bareroot. All very good sized. 7 ft is pretty average Havent had any die.
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Post by smallchunk on Nov 14, 2020 23:17:39 GMT -6
I’ll have a bunch of trees available this spring as long as the move to the new house this fall went okay! I’m north of the cities up in North Branch if you are ever in that area
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Post by jbird on Nov 17, 2020 21:51:09 GMT -6
I have been VERY happy with Turkey Creek trees. They offered to replace one that didn't make it...even though it wasn't their fault....and I didn't even ask them to. I know many of you guys are further north than I so you need to worry about the hardiness zone... I think Turkey Creek will also grow trees for you under contract if you are looking for something they don't have. I pestered the shit out of them about tree selection and they have been a lot of help. TC trees are from Nebraska I think.
I will agree in that it can become addictive...and fruit trees are certainly a $20 tree in a $20 hole....meaning the caging, weed mat and care that goes into them for best results isn't always cheap.
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