Our 2023 tree sale runs from late November 2022 until we sell out – usually by mid-February. We expect the trees to be available for pickup in early May, at Soho’s Greenhouse, 43 Bedford Street, in Westport.
IS THERE ANY RUSH?
Nurseries across the country have been hard-hit over the past three years by COVID-related shortages of supplies and manpower, and trees are in short supply again this year. As a result, we’re recommending that you order as early as possible, since we probably won’t be able to restock once our initial order is sold out.
HOW DO I ORDER?
Browse through our online TREES 2023 catalogue under the TREES tab.
To order, just email westportinbloom@gmail.com with the names of the trees you’d like. You’ll receive a return email telling you whether the trees are still available and the total cost. (And there’s no tax!)
To pay, send an e-transfer to westportinbloom@gmail.com (NO PASSWORD required)
OR
a cheque to Westport in Bloom, c/o Donna Easter, PO Box 367, Westport ON K0G 1X0
Don’t forget to include your telephone number with your order – we’ll need it to contact you if you forget to pick up your tree in May. And please be sure to give us the name you want on your order: if you order under your married name, for instance, but use another name on your cheque or email, we may get confused!
WHEN AND WHERE WILL MY TREE ARRIVE?
Our trees will be available for pickup on May 6, 2023, from 9 am to noon, probably at Soho’s Greenhouse, 43 Bedford Street, in Westport. Don’t worry, we’ll let you know in plenty of time!
WHAT ARE BAREROOT TREES?
Most of our trees arrive in bareroot form, with their roots bagged in plastic, rather than heavy pots of soil. As a result, they’re light to carry and easy to plant. The roots of bareroot trees can be up to 200% larger than the roots of a balled-and-burlapped or container tree, and they become established more quickly after transplanting. For detailed planting instructions, see HOW SHOULD I PLANT MY TREE?, below.
WHAT ARE PLANT HARDINESS ZONES?
Canada’s plant hardiness zones identify the areas where different trees and plants will probably survive. US planting zones are based solely on minimum winter temperatures, but Canadian planting zones reflect a wide range of climate conditions, including year-round high and low temperatures, rainfall, wind and frost-free period. The harshest zone is 0, and the mildest is 8. Westport was previously classified as zone 5a but, as a result of climate change, is now considered zone 5b (slightly more moderate).
Find the hardiness zone for your own municipality on this Government of Canada website: http://www.planthardiness.gc.ca/?m=22&lang=en. Sheltered areas of your property are sometimes able to support trees that would not normally survive in your official zone.
HOW BIG WILL MY TREE BE ON ARRIVAL?
The approximate size of the tree you will receive is shown in our catalogue listings, with the price. More often than not, the trees our supplier sends us are significantly larger than indicated.
DO I NEED TWO FRUIT TREES TO GET FRUIT?
Most fruit trees require a different variety of the same kind of tree within 200 feet. Bartlett pears, nectarines and some apple trees will self-pollinate, but the crop will be heavier and more reliable if they have company. Crabapples with white blossoms make excellent pollinators for apple trees, and a beehive in the area can only help!
HOW LONG WILL IT BE BEFORE I HAVE FRUIT ON MY TREE?
Fruit trees are generally 3 to 6 years old before they start to bear fruit. Given good conditions and proper care, our trees should begin producing in 2 or 3 summers, since they’ve already been growing for several years.
WHERE SHOULD I PLANT MY TREE?
Before you plant, make sure that you’re well away from water, sewer, septic and gas lines, to avoid costly problems in the future. And make sure that your tree is not in a location that will interfere with overhead wires as it grows.
WHERE CAN I PLANT A WILLOW TREE?
Willows are happiest in damp or low-lying areas, and can make a soggy part of your lawn usable again by soaking up extra water. It’s recommended that they not be planted within 50 feet of water pipes or sewer lines, although this is a less serious problem with modern PVC pipe than it once was. They are a beautiful tree in a large landscape, but they do need space.
HOW SHOULD I PLANT MY TREE?
1. Soak the roots for an hour or so and plant your tree as soon as possible. It will be fine for a day or two in a cool, dark place, but DON’T let the roots dry out.
2. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and a little wider, so that the roots aren’t crowded. Rough up the sides to help the roots penetrate.
3. Plant the tree with the soil line on the trunk just above ground level and the top roots at the surface – when it settles, the entire trunk must be above ground. Anchor the tree with about 6” of soil. You don’t need any compost or fertilizer, but mix the small envelope of Root Rescue (mycorrhizae root stimulant) with 2 gallons of water and pour it over the roots.
4. Shovel in the remaining soil and build a water ring around the tree. Soak the soil thoroughly till it looks like stew. Jiggle the tree up and down to remove any air pockets.
5. Once the water has soaked in, tamp the soil down firmly and spread 2” of mulch around the tree, but don’t let it touch the trunk.
6. Keep the soil and mulch moist, but not soggy. Water it for 5 minutes once a week for the first summer, even if it rains.
CONGRATULATIONS – you’ve planted a legacy!
ANY GUARANTEE?
Sorry, we aren’t in a position to offer any guarantees or refunds. With proper planting, watering and care, our trees will have an excellent survival rate – but unfortunately, we have no control over Mother Nature, no guarantee from our supplier (except their excellent reputation), and no profit margin, because we spend every penny we earn on keeping our village beautiful. Thank you for your understanding, and thank you for supporting Westport in Bloom!
Westport In Bloom 