How to Purchase Quality Trees

Healthy, structurally sound nursery trees are the foundation of a successful urban forest. A poor-quality tree can struggle for decades or fail within a few years because of hidden root defects, weak structure, or pest problems that began in the nursery. High-quality trees establish quickly, grow evenly, and require less maintenance over their lifetime.

We have created a document that outlines the key steps for selecting, ordering, and receiving quality nursery trees. These instructions are designed for municipal and nonprofit staff who purchase trees for public landscapes. By following these guidelines, buyers can help ensure that only well-grown, structurally sound trees are delivered, thereby maximizing tree survival, quality canopy, and high return on public investment in tree planting.

When purchasing trees, buyers can use specifications as a clear and enforceable standard to ensure that only high-quality, structurally sound trees are delivered. Specifications describe in detail what constitutes a healthy tree. They also establish the conditions of inspection and time of delivery. By sending the nursery a copy of the attached specifications, buyers can request trees that meet these exact criteria. The specifications also give buyers the right to inspect trees upon arrival and reject any that do not meet this standard.