1. When will my trees ship?

We sell many different varieties and products with varying shipping schedules. Our common shipping season runs late February through June, with specific timing based on your region and tree type. Any special exceptions or specific shipping windows will be noted on individual product pages. All trees ship on Mondays via UPS for Friday delivery, avoiding weekend warehouse delays. You'll receive an email with tracking information when your order ships.

2. What are the shipping costs?

Bare-Root Trees: Orders over $200: FREE SHIPPING. Orders under $200: Typically $30-40 (calculated at checkout). Potted Trees: Shipping calculated by weight at checkout. Generally $40-75 depending on size and quantity. Heavier than bare-root due to soil, but superior root establishment makes it worth it! If ordering many potted trees, consider a pickup or ordering seedling and potted trees separately

3. What should I do when my trees arrive?

Plant within 3-5 days for best results. Bare-Root Trees: Keep roots moist at all times. If you can't plant immediately, store in a cool location (35-45°F). You can temporarily heel in trees by covering roots with moist soil or mulch. Never let roots dry out! Potted Trees: Water immediately upon arrival. Keep in partial shade until planting. Plant as soon as possible. Damaged Shipments: Inspect your trees immediately. Contact us within 48 hours with photos if there's any shipping damage.

4. Can chestnuts be grown in my area?

Chinese chestnuts thrive in USDA Zones 4-8, which covers most of the eastern United States and Midwest. They're cold-hardy (surviving -20°F winters) and heat-tolerant. Requirements for success: Soil pH: 6.5 or less (they need acidic soil). Sun: Full sun (6+ hours daily). Drainage: Well-drained soil (they hate wet feet!). Spacing: 40-50 feet between trees at maturity. Pollination: At least 2 seedlings for cross-pollination. Our trees are grown in Zone 6 (Cincinnati area) and perform excellently throughout the Midwest and East Coast.

5. What spacing do I need for my trees?

Proper spacing ensures healthy, productive trees: Chinese Chestnuts: 20-30 feet apart (standard size trees). Pawpaws: 15-20 feet apart (naturally smaller, can handle closer spacing). Apples & Pears (grafted): 25 feet apart (depending on rootstock). Persimmons: 20-30 feet apart. Remember: These trees get BIG! Plan for mature size, not current size. Closer spacing means more competition and reduced production.

6. Do I need to plant more than one tree?

It depends on the species: YES - You MUST plant at least 2: Chinese Chestnuts - Require cross-pollination. You need at least 2 seedlings within 200 feet of each other. Different varieties means different individual seedling trees OR different grafted varieties. Since seedlings come from seed, each individual seedling has different genetics and will cross-pollinate with another seedling. Grafted trees, however, are clones of the parent tree, so two grafted trees of the same variety will NOT cross-pollinate each other.

7. What does your warranty cover?

If notified by July 1st of the year you received your tree, we'll issue a store credit for any tree that fails to establish (tree price only; you pay shipping on replacement). What IS covered: Tree never leafed out. Complete dieback by early summer. Establishment failure despite proper care. What is NOT covered: Claims after July 1st. Animal damage (deer, rabbits, voles, etc.). Equipment or herbicide damage. Inadequate watering or neglect. Improper planting. Trees that have already been replaced once.

8. Can I pick up my order locally?

Yes! Potted trees are always available for local pickup at our Cincinnati area location. Contact us to arrange pickup timing. Bare-root trees are primarily shipped due to the tight seasonal window and inventory management, but contact us if you're local and interested in pickup options.

9. Can I cancel or modify my order?

Before your trees ship: Yes! Contact us as soon as possible and we'll update your order. No problem. After your trees ship: Once tracking is provided, we cannot cancel or modify the shipment. However, if there's an issue when trees arrive, contact us within 48 hours and we'll work with you to resolve it.

10. What's the difference between bare-root and potted trees?

Both are excellent options with different advantages: Bare-Root Trees: Shipped while dormant (March-April). Lighter weight = lower shipping costs. Root system has been air-pruned for exceptional branching. Must be planted during dormant season. Best for: Chestnuts, early-season planting. Potted Trees: Shipped in active growth (late May-June). Complete root ball with soil intact. All fine root hairs preserved = superior establishment. Can be planted later in spring after leaf-out. Best for: Pawpaws (they prefer this method!).

11. How old are the seedlings you sell?

Chestnut seedlings: Between 1-2 years old. Many of our potted chestnuts were potted up if they did not sell the previous year, thus they are 2 years old. Grafted pawpaws: 2-3 years old. Note that the grafting process dramatically reduces their size, so grafted trees may appear smaller than seedlings of the same age despite being more mature.

12. Do you provide planting or orchard consultation?

Yes! Chris Smyth has planted over 4,000 fruit and nut trees across the region and designed dozens of orchards through his work with the Common Orchard Project, Southern Ohio Chestnut Company, and his own private practice of working with landowners to create orchards. Orchard Design Consultation available for: Site assessment and species selection. Spacing and layout planning. Pollination planning. Long-term management strategies. Community orchard development.

13. Do you sell fertilizers and planting accessories?

Currently, we focus on providing exceptional trees rather than accessories. However, we have strong recommendations: Tree Protection (ESSENTIAL): We can only warranty trees that have been protected from deer. We don't currently sell tree tubes ourselves, but we highly recommend Plantra Brand 5-foot tree tubes - we've used thousands at this point and they are the best out there. Deer damage is the #1 killer of young trees!

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

Give your trees every advantage.

These essential products protect seedlings, improve soil health, and accelerate growth—helping your investment thrive from day one.

Tree Tubes/Shelters

Give your new trees the best start with professional-grade protection. Plantra SunFlex tree shelters work like mini-greenhouses to protect young seedlings from deer, rabbits, wind damage, and herbicide drift while promoting faster, healthier growth.

Key Benefits:

Deer Protection: 5-foot height keeps seedlings safe from browse damage
Greenhouse Effect: Twin-wall design promotes 20% faster growth
Wind Protection: Creates shock prevention zone for delicate seedlings
Straight Growth: Flexible stakes build stronger trunks naturally
Long-Lasting: UV-resistant for 7+ years of protection

Perfect for fruit trees, nut trees, and all deciduous hardwood seedlings.

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Tree Squares

Suppress weeds and conserve soil moisture around your newly planted trees with Plantra's Water-Saver weed mats. These 40" x 40" weed barriers eliminate competition for water and nutrients during establishment, significantly improving survival rates. The durable fabric allows water and air to reach roots while blocking unwanted vegetation.

Key Benefits:

Conserves soil moisture and stops weeds in their tracks
Reduces maintenance and mowing around trees
40" x 40" size perfect for young trees
Durable, long-lasting material
Comes in 10-pack for multiple trees

Note: Each weed mat requires 5 anchor staples for installation (staples sold separately)

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Premium Compost

Give your trees the nutrient-rich foundation they need with locally-produced, high-quality compost. Incorporating compost at planting time improves soil structure, provides slow-release nutrients, and supports beneficial soil microorganisms essential for healthy root development.

Key Benefits:

Improves soil structure and drainage
Provides organic nutrients for establishment
Supports beneficial soil biology
Locally produced in Cincinnati

Note: Available for local pickup in Cincinnati, Ohio. For customers outside our region, we recommend finding a quality compost supplier near you.

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MycoApply Mycorrhizal Inoculant

Supercharge your tree's root system with beneficial mycorrhizal fungi. These naturally occurring organisms form symbiotic relationships with tree roots, dramatically expanding their ability to absorb water and nutrients. MycoApply is a professional-grade inoculant used by nurseries and orchardists to ensure strong establishment.

Key Benefits:

Increases nutrient and water uptake by 10-1000x
Improves drought tolerance
Enhances root development
Professional-grade formulation

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Bone Meal

Organic Fertilizer

Provide a slow-release source of phosphorus to support strong root development with organic bone meal. This natural fertilizer is especially important for fruit and nut trees, promoting robust root systems and long-term tree health. Apply at planting time and annually for best results.

Key Benefits:

High in phosphorus for root development
Slow-release nutrition (won't burn plants)
Organic and safe for edible crops
Supports flowering and fruiting

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