Hola permies. I'm need of some help on trusted tree sources. I am building my food forest and need your help with sources for trees. There are many good local sources (Edible Landscaping in Afton, VA to name one really good one) but my shopping cart keeps topping $500. Can anyone provide sources for bareroot trees that might not blow my budget. I'm looking primarily at fruit and nut trees. Thanks for any help!

Where are you in Virginia? I have bought a few things from Edible Landscaping, but they are quite pricey... and their zone is warmer than mine in the mountains so what does well there often fails here. I'm learning to grow trees and think it might be a tiny sideline business.

Can't give any recommendations I've tried personally, but http://lawyernursery.com/, and to a lesser extent http://oikostreecrops.com/store/home.asp both have a good selection, with VERY good prices, especially if you buy in bulk.
In fact, lawyer requires that you buy in bulk. (You can always sell or give away the excess to friends)

the state nursery in Winchester handles fruit trees...

Virginia is one of many states that operates a nursery, for sale to residents. They sell in bundles of 10 trees or more, but don't worry...most bundles are only $20. These will be smaller trees than you would typically find in a retail nursery.

I would certainly check them out before you spend your hard earned $$$ elsewhere. Here is their 2012 catalog:

http://www.dof.virginia.gov/nursery/resources/pub_Seedling-Catalog_2011-2012.pdf

Often you do better with smaller trees. The larger the tree, the more "shock" when put in the ground.

That being said, variety is everything on trees, and genetic source. Your filler pioneers are fine with whatever you purchase, but you might want to get the very best "keystone" species which will be there for a long time.

Then again, just grow lots.

darius Van d'Rhys wrote:Where are you in Virginia? I have bought a few things from Edible Landscaping, but they are quite pricey... and their zone is warmer than mine in the mountains so what does well there often fails here. I'm learning to grow trees and think it might be a tiny sideline business.

They are pricey! I'm in Harrisonburg and its a a touch colder here than the other side of Afton as well.

Thanks for all the recommendations, I'll definitely check out the state nursery! Thanks again, if any other suggestions come to mind please don't hesitate to mention them.

The state Nursery closed at the end of April for the season and reopens in October.
http://www.dof.virginia.gov/nursery/index.htm

http://www.hiddenspringsnursery.com/plants.html
I've had very good success with these folks. Very reasonable prices and good customer service. They have many varieties that are listed in the various Food Forest books- Edible Forest Gardens/ gaia's garden. I planted almost one or two of everything in their catalog and had 100% success this year! They are a little further south (Tennessee) but may be the same zone as you or at least close to yours.