Tree Sale

HOW IT WORKS - 2023 Sale Update

As of April 14th, 2023 - pre-order sales for the 2023 tree sale are CLOSED.

There may be some available plants for sale at the pick up days in Highgate: 

Franklin County Field Days Grounds

294 Airport Road, Highgate

Pickup times: Friday May 5th: 11 am to 6 pm and Saturday May 6th: 9 am to 2 pm

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Our annual pre-order tree sale is the largest in the State of Vermont! Through the sale, we distribute 9000+ trees and shrubs to the local community. The primary goal is to make native trees and shrubs and backyard fruit trees and plants affordable and accessible in our community, and it is also a fundraiser for our conservation programs and education. The Tree Sale operates with a pre-order model, and we have two main ways to order: online (recommended) or by paper form.

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All orders are first come, first served. Inventory can change based on the conditions at the nurseries we order from – i.e. weather, damage, or crop loss are all possible – thank you, as always, for your patience and understanding. Unfortunately, there is no warranty on any plant we sell. We try to purchase high quality, resilient plants that will be successful in our cold climate with long, snowy winters, which is why we source our plants from places like VT, NY, MI, and MA. We hope the Tree Sale encourages more carbon sequestration, food sovereignty, improved water quality, and wildlife habitat in all communities. 

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Pick Up and Ordering Information

You’ll pick your order up in-person during the first weekend in May. 
For 2023, all paper order forms are due by February 28th and online orders are due by April 14th.

If additional inventory remains, day-of-pick up sales may be possible at the Highgate pick-up location.

Pick up will be in THREE locations this year – Highgate (primary location), Montgomery (thanks to the Montgomery Conservation Commission), and North Hero (new in 2023 thanks to the Grand Isle County Natural Resources Conservation District). 

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Highgate:

Franklin County Field Days Grounds

294 Airport Road, Highgate

Pickup times: Friday May 5th: 11 am to 6 pm and Saturday May 6th: 9 am to 2 pm

If there is any additional inventory after pre-orders, it will only be available at the Highgate pickup location.

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Montgomery:

Public Safety Building

Montgomery Conservation Commission leading

86 Mountain Road / Route 242, Montgomery

Pickup time: Saturday May 6th: 10 am to 1 pm

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North Hero:

Lake Champlain Islands Economic Development Corporation 

Grand Isle County Natural Resources Conservation District leading

3501 US Route 2, North Hero

Pick up time: Saturday May 6th: 10 am to 2 pm

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If you require assistance with your order pickup, please contact us via email or phone.

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Updates are emailed in April, please keep an eye out for a note from us! Phone calls will only be made if necessary. 

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Payment must be received to reserve orders. Inventory is subject to change based on source nursery stock availability dependent on weather and other conditions. We may contact you to alter your order. Thank you for understanding. Check your order for quality and accuracy at pickup. No refunds will be granted once the plants have left the pickup site. All items are bare-root or plug (not container or ball & burlap) and will fit in a small bag. There is no need for a truck or trailer to pick up your order except for some long fruit trees which can usually fit in a sedan with the window down. There is no warranty on any plant. Please follow all care instructions. 

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Payment Information

All orders are first come, first served.

Payment must be received to reserve your order. 

We recommend paying by check (mail or deliver to our office), but we also offer online payment if you're ordering online!

If paying by check, please make it out to Franklin County NRCD and mail to us at:

Franklin County NRCD

50 South Main Street Suite B20

St. Albans, Vermont 05478

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*Inventory is subject to change based on source nursery stock availability dependent on weather and other conditions. We may contact you to alter your order. Thank you for understanding!*

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New Items in the 2023 Tree Sale

Based on requests from 2022, we worked hard to secure more evergreen trees this year, hoping to be able to closer match the demand from our community. We also added Hazelburt trees which produce oil-rich, tasty nuts and ninebark and winterberry conservation shrubs for food for our pollinator friends! We were able to source Vermont-grown cultivated plum trees and wild plum trees from Michigan. We’ve got asparagus, and multiple varieties of blueberries, currants / gooseberries, seedless grapes, raspberries, and strawberries to provide lots of options for growing your own food. And returning again from last year, don’t forget a bat house, bluebird house, or tree tube to encourage wildlife to interact with all of your plants in beneficial ways. 

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What is a bare root plant?

Our annual Tree Sale offers only one main style of plant: bare root. These plants are made by rooting cuttings or suckers from a plant, or from planting a seed. At the nursery, plants are dug up while they are dormant. It is normal to not see any leaves or buds on a bare root plant, unless it is an evergreen. Bare root plants carry less risk of spreading diseases and insects, and are also lightweight, economical, and easy to plant. A few fruit plants are being sold as plugs or in bundles this year as well.
We will have your order ready and bagged with the roots covered in damp sawdust or newspaper. Keep the plants in the bag in a cool, shady location until they are ready for planting - it does not take long for air and wind to dry out the roots. Since these plants are young, you can expect them to transplant well with minimal care compared to a large tree or shrub. It's best not to fertilize within their first year to prevent shock and encourage roots to seek out food and water. 

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About Fruit, Berry, and Nut-Bearing Plants

Pollination
In early spring before their leaves have unfurled, branches of fruit trees are generously decorated in showy, wonderfully aromatic flowers representative of the Rose family. They bloom from March to May. Flowers are typically open for 2 weeks. Times of bloom are generally classified as early, mid, or late. Pick a full flush of bloom periods, or pick a few that all bloom together. 

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Fertilization

Self fertile: can reproduced with one plant, but planting two or more is preferred for fruit set. Will also pollinate others. 

Fruit Trees and Berries: Many plants require you to order at least two different varieties with similar bloom time for fruit set. 

Nut Trees: please order multiple of the same variety for nut production. 

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Some Local Nurseries for Other Plants and Supplies
River Berry Farm 191 Goose Pond Rd, Fairfax. 802-849-6853
H&B Greenhouse & Nursery  1213 Highgate Road, Highgate Center. 802-868-3604
Breezy Acres Garden Center 1904 Sheldon Road, St. Albans. 802-524-4141
Hudak Farm Stand and Greenhouse 599 St. Albans Road, Swanton. 802-527-1147
Shumway's Landscaping and Nursery 11 Spring Street, Swanton. 802-868-2334
Beaver Meadow Greenhouses 2107 Montgomery Road, East Berkshire. 802-933-4116
Champlain Island's Nursery 183 Boutah Road, Alburgh. 802-796-3021
Grand Isle Nursery 50 Ferry Road, South Hero. 802-372-8805
Canamak Farms 336 US Route 2, Grand Isle. 802-372-8258
Lussier's Greenhouse 3532 Vermont Route 78, Highgate Center 802-868-0888
Other Vermont Natural Resources Conservation Districts - VACD.org
 

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