Most of our trees start out as small saplings, known as plugs. Once these plugs arrive, we carefully plant them into 5 gallon containers, a process that typically takes about three weeks. Each tree is then given individual irrigation and fertilizer to ensure healthy growth—last year, we planted 12,000 trees using this method.

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During the first year, the tree remains in their 5 gallon containers. This stage is crucial for their development, as it’s the time when we shape and guide them to grow straight and upright. Throughout this period, we regularly trim, stake, and tie the trees to ensure they develop properly.

 

Once the trees reach a caliper size of approximately 1 inch (the diameter of the main trunk), we prepare them for their next stage by transplanting them into 15  or 30 gallon containers.

 

The trees that are transplanted into 30 gallon containers stay there for 18 to 24 months, allowing them to grow to about 2.5 to 3 inches in caliper. Once they’re fully grown, they are ready for sale. The trees moved into 15 gallon containers stay there for 24 months. These trees will grow to 2  to 2.5 inches in caliper and then transplanted again into 45 gallon containers, where they will continue to grow for an additional 12 months, reaching a caliper size of 3.0 to 3.5 inches before they are ready for sale.

 

Through careful cultivation and attention to detail, we ensure that each tree is healthy, strong, and ready to thrive in its new home.