Our Growing & Harvesting Methods
All of the trees we sell at Wildlife Heritage Tree Nursery are shipped bare-root. Unlike many nurseries, however, we grow and harvest our trees using methods that reduce the stress and damage associated with bare-root trees.
Our Growing Method vs. Field Grown Trees
At Wildlife Heritage Tree Nursery, we grow our trees in planters designed to air prune the roots at the bottom of the planter. When the taproot reaches the air it stops growing longer, and the trees begin producing more lateral roots, creating denser root structures.
Field grown trees are grown in the ground with nothing to stop the taproot's downward growth. Since the taproot can grow deep into the soil it may be cut during the harvesting process. Cutting the taproot causes damage to the root system and stresses the tree when it comes out of dormancy and begins to grow again.
Our Advantage
Our planters prevent the taproots from growing too deep. As a result, we do not cut the taproots during the harvesting process, reducing the damage and stress to the trees. Once the tree is planted in its permanent location, the taproot will resume its natural growth.
Our Harvesting Method vs The Standard Method.
At Wildlife Heritage Tree Nursery, our planters allow us to harvest trees as we need them. Trees shipped before March 10th are harvested just a few days before we package them for shipment. Trees shipped after March 10th are harvested in early to mid March and stored in our cold room until they are shipped. This delays the budding process.
Most bare-root trees are harvested soon after they are dormant and are stored several weeks to months before they are shipped.
The Advantage
Our trees are out of their original growing medium for as little time as possible before being shipped, reducing the chance of damage and the amount of stress the trees undergo. Since most of our trees ship shortly after harvest, these trees do not have to be heeled in during storage. This eliminates a step in which damage to roots can occur.