Bulk (apple) tree discounts

[stubborn1VT]

I'm trying to start a dual purpose "home orchard".  I'm planting several varieties for our use, as well as crab apples for deer and pollination.  Can anyone tell me how many trees I need to order to get a discount?  I can get a few buddies together and place an order.  Or should I just wait until later in the spring, when trees go on sale?   

[G-Man]

You can get 3 to 5 ft whips thru your county or state soil and water conservation districts. Orders must be placed before March..1st come 1st served

[growalot]

depends on how fast you want fruit...hybrids and semi dwarf will be an over all better fruit producer early...check out Cummings tree nursery they have bulk pricing and are out of NYS. Though you may have a similar type nursery in your state..Google whole sale Vermont tree nurseries. If you find one fairly close you could go and pick them up...bigger the caliper the better.

[stubborn1VT]

Thanks guys.  A friend also suggested checking end-of-season sales at bigger nurseries.  Less varieties, but low prices.

[growalot]

I GOOGLED fruit tree nurseries in Vermont and several popped up..some are pick up only...

[stubborn1VT]

I was looking at them yesterday.  Wasn't really impressed with prices for bare root trees.

[growalot]

Here's the Cummings link , They are in Geneva NY , and a few others...

http://www.cumminsnursery.com/price.htm

http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9395.html

http://waflernursery.com/index.php

http://www.schichtels.com/fruit_trees

http://www.nurseriesonline.us/Wholesale_Nurseries/Wholesale_State/New_York.htm

https://www.acnursery.com/fruit-trees PA

[dbHunterNY]

where in VT are you?  I'll be looking into ordering some as a large group in hoosick falls area (near southwestern VT).

[stubborn1VT]

Thanks for asking.  I'm just south of Burlington.  Bennington is a haul for me.  I'm not really looking for that many trees.  I was thinking of trying to get a few of us together, but so far it hasn't happened.  Right now I'm leaning toward buying a few from Cumming's and then a few more when Stark Brothers has their late spring sale.  

Thanks for the links Grow.  It seems like a real challenge to find the varieties you want on the rootstock you want.  Guess I need to order a year or two in advance!  

[dbHunterNY]

i know of others spanning up to Warren County.  If i hear of a group ordering some up there i'll let you know.  Probably stuck doing what you said though.

[growalot]

Have you thought about taking a look at Raintree Nursery..I know they are out of Oregon but have at least in the past great stock ,customer service and so many root stocks to choose from They also sell root stock for grafting and budding....

[growalot]

Stubborn , did you sign up for Cummings E-news letter?...If not they had a huge cancellation on a cider tree order...So being "fairly" local perhaps a call and deal on some of those trees can be made. That is better than their regular bulk rates especially if you think they would be close enough for a hands on pick up.....Looks like they have some good stone friut trees as well this year...and a great variety on root stock...learn to graft some of your own?

[stubborn1VT]

Grow,

I looked at Cumming's nursery site, but didn't sign up for the news letter.  I'll have to look at where they are located.  It may be a long round trip.

It's funny you should mention grafting.  I was watching a Youtube video from Nativ Nursery on bark grafting.  I'm sure I could learn some of the simpler methods.  I may have to order rootstock and give it a try.

 I am also trying my hand at propagating apple trees from cuttings (scions).  They say trees started this way will not be hardy.  I'm not sure what that really means, but I'm going to try it anyway.  I started two cuttings from a Mac in a 2 liter soda bottle, and they have tiny leaves on them.  I don't know if they are rooting.  I'll let them go for the winter and check in the spring.  When I was at the farm a couple days ago, I gathered 40 or 50 cuttings from a bunch of different trees.  We'll see what I can come up with.

So my newest plan is to buy a very few nursery trees, start propagating my own from cuttings, and buy a half dozen rootstocks and give grafting a shot.  One way or another, I should have apples in a few years.

[growalot]

OK ,I'm saying straight up,you guys looking to plant fruit trees have to order the Rain tree nursery catalog. I have ordered from them and received nice stock...Yes they are on the west coast but their stock is like none other and cultivars from around the world...They also sell root stocks...lots and lots 2 pages of them and all the equipment needed for grafting....detailed plant descriptions and origins....they have every kind of tree and berry , grapes, nuts and very unusual fruiting plants...not cheap...but not bad for what you get...about the same prices as crapstatic Gurneys. Check them out on line and sign up for their news letter.

Edited February 10, 2017 by growalot

[stubborn1VT]

Good looking site.  Good variety and descriptions.  The prices on their 5 tree "bundles" are really good, but the shipping costs eat up any savings.  Of course, it is all the way across the country.

[growalot]

Yes, but that variety...and many come from the Geneva and Cornell testing sites...I have used their on line sales to my advantage....They do a lot of winter sales bundles on line. The paper catalog is like reading a magazine ,minus the pages of useless ads...If nothing else, it's very informative.

[surmn8er]

Just got a catalog from Schlabach's Nursery in Medina. Wide variety of fruit trees for a decent price but no root stock choice.