Home Depot trees?

[ZZ-kai-]

Anyone ever buy a tree from Home Depot (or a store like that)? I saw they have trees starting at $7.00 - anyone recommend buying there, or do you mainly stay with Nurseries. I believe the trees I saw were a Honey Locust (3 feet tall) and a pear blossom tree (3 feet tall).

Thanks.

[pruninggal]

Hi ZZ-kai,

The quality of plants varies widely at Home Depots across the states. Where I live, the trees that come into the stores here are usually pruned badly and don't have a good starting shape. Also, who knows what's in the soil. However, I have bought shrubs at HD and other box stores but mostly I support my local nurseries and wholesale operations where I can be sure of the quality and pre-care of the plants I'm buying.

Good Luck!
Pruninggal

[treemendos]

The trees at Home Depot as well as any other home improvement stores or shopping center can be risky to buy. If you know what you are looking at (quality), you can't go wrong. Look for a straight stem, nice branching structure, and check to see if it has been watered often. A lot of times they are neglected. If there are some dead limbs or leaves, probably been neglected. I usually buy all my trees at these places but I know what to look for and if it doesn't make it, I am not out much money.

[Newt]

Hi ZZ,

In addition to what has been said I'd like to add that these plants are often neglected for long periods of time, not getting water when needed, left out in direct sun for long periods of time and often very rootbound.

I would also like to comment on the trees that you have noted and I'm including some links for you to read.

Honey locust - Gleditsia triacanthos - Several different varieties but will develop LARGE surface roots over time (up to 35' from the trunk) and lift sidewalks and driveways.
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/GLETRIA.pdf

Pear blossom tree is not a name I'm familiar with, but pear trees are known for having weak limbs that break in storms and are not considered a good purchase.
Pyrus calleryana - 'Artistocrat', 'Callery' and 'Redspire'.
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/PYRCALA.pdf
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/PYRCALB.pdf
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/PYRCALC.pdf

If you are looking for trees for specific locations or attributes, let us know so we can help you. We will need to know where you live.

If you want to research trees that you see while out shopping or any recommended, this site has loads of info such as tree litter, invasive roots, weak limbs, etc.
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/index.htm

Hope this helped,
Newt

[drylake]

I had a low-cost "orchard" with HD fruit trees, dwarf, & they did produce -- however, in a soCal location with premium sun/soil. Sometimes I think specialty nursery trees are babied. (I'm truly a novice, & if I'd known more, they'd probably have died!) Common sense applies -- nothing with withered leaves, or soil separated from the inside container wall, or with bugs or powder. The greatest benefit of a good nursery may be the expert there, and often that's worth the added expense.