Sorry, the Fall orders are over for 2011. But, it is now the time to make your order for Spring 2012!
As usual, first come, first served, don't forget that. The sooner the better, as we are a small niche company. We do update our inventory on the net, in the catalog section. Nature being nature, we sometimes have to modify our availability list in a hurry due to unforseen circumstances.
Getting ready for Spring...
Welcome everyone! It is with great pleasure that we are updating our inventory for autumn 2011. You will find there a wide diversity of trees, vines and bushes; however, some varieties are available in limited quantities. Thus we suggest that you reserve as soon as possible.
We are currently trying to improve our website to make it easier to navigate. If you have any comments or suggestions do not hesitate to contact us. We are regularly receiving emails or calls from people who want to buy trees that will produce fruits very soon. So, let’s talk about it!
The solution is not in buying larger trees! The solution is in the variety. If your walnut tree will start giving nuts in eight years, then organise yourself in such a way as to plant raspberries that will produce in 2 years, hazelnuts that will produce in 3 years, cherry trees that will produce in 4 years, apple trees that will produce in 5 years and pear trees that will give fruits in 6 years! The waiting time will definitely be less painful!
We have several large trees available, but we are trying to sell as few as possible because transplanting a large tree is like changing schools for a teenager; he will lose all his friends and will have to reassert his status. Similarly, larger (older) trees are well anchored into the soil and it is almost impossible to transplant them without damaging their roots and thus making it more difficult for them to adapt to a new environment. On the other hand, transplanting a small tree is like changing houses for a baby; he will not even realise the change! Similarly, small trees are easy to transplant because their roots are only superficially implanted. Generally, the rule of thumb is: a large tree will not grow during the year of its transplantation (it will be busy repairing its wounds and adapting). Only the second year will it start growing. In contrast, a small tree will grow as if nothing had happened and will double or triple in length during the first year of transplantation. The bottom line is: stop fighting for the large trees! The small ones will grow fast and you will feel rewarded for having seen them grow from the very beginning :)
You are retired and are finally making your dreams come true? Don’t worry that your trees are taking so much time to give fruits. While waiting, you can pick some fruits at “pick-your-own” orchards. Think about it, you will be able to pass over your young plantation to your grand children! Imagine if someone had planted it for you when you were little; wouldn’t it be great? Then, do it for them (and with them)!
You work and you don’t have much time? Take the time, stop putting things off until you are retired and in a hurry to plant large trees! Another comment that we hear quite often when people see their package of trees is: “I came to buy trees, not branches.” Let us explain: first of all, botanically speaking, a tree is a linear plant that has roots at its base and a trunk. There are leafs in season, but you come to pick them up off season so the trees are dormant and their leafs have fallen off. The trees that you buy are babies; hence, they often do not have branches (either because they didn’t make any yet or because we have pruned them). This is why they look like whips! If you buy a tree that is 2 feet long and already has five branches, it will seem cute, but imagine it in 10 years with 5 branches at the distance of 1 ft from earth! How are you going to pass by with your lawn mower? You think that a tree with large branches at its base is cute? It’s horrible! The branches won’t rise with the trunk as the tree grows, they will remain at the height where they have grown. In addition, if you pity these lower branches and let them grow, your tree will lose in height. For example, if your young tree has created 5 branches of 6 inch each by pruning them you could have earned 5 x 6 inch in height, in other words, your truck could have been 3 feet higher.
Next, our trees have been selected to resist various insects and sicknesses. However, this does not mean that all of your fruits will be as perfect as those that are sold at grocery stores. Insects and infections are numerous. Some years are more favorable than others because of the climate. For example, when it rains too abundantly during the blooming period, insects are unable to pollinate the flowers and we find ourselves without fruits. Other times, all the harvest can be destroyed by late spring frosts that freeze the flowers. Also, some regions are more favorable than others. You must remember that to cultivate fruits without chemicals, is a real challenge! There are some tips and techniques that can help you take care of your trees in an ecological and organic way. Eventually, we will post these tips and techniques on our website. For the moment, plant your trees! Enjoy your visit :) Éric and Véronique
Feel free to write us an e-mail if you have any questions.
Eric and Veronique
Hardy Fruit Trees Nursery
The ''Petite soeur de la Mont-Royal'' plum tree is native from St-Alexis-de-Montcalm and is self fertile. As far as we know, it is the hardiest of the European plum trees. Its sweet and highly aromatic fruit will melt in your mouth, a true wonder. Don't miss it!
