How to ship trees?

Ralph

I did a little search here, and on the net in general, but this is a broad topic, and have not found the information I am looking for.
I am asking does anyone here have experience with sucessfully sending trees through the mail. What does one use for packing to protect branches and trunk?
What sucessful methods have you used to send trees bare root? How do you pack the bare roots? I would appreciate and experiences that you have.
Thanks

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bonsaimaniac

I haven't shipped any trees but have received a number of them. I can tell you from the receiving end what works and doesn't. Bare root is the cheapest way to ship a tree obiviously. Reducing the weight for shipping is always good. The problems I've had with this is that in reducing the size of the rootball the roots were damaged and the fine feeder roots stripped. Take your time and error on leaving a little extra soil. The best wrapping of the rootball was wrapped in wet fabric much like a torn sheet and then wrapped in saran wrap. It was cross country and got here by ground that took over five days! It was in good shape.

Protecting the branches is a real problem. I think that all of the trees have had damage. the problem is perventing the tree from shifting in the box. Very hard to do. Adding a 'this end up' sticker doesn't mean it will always be kept that way. Wiring it to the box may be a good way to go.

Good Luck

jzak

I tend to start with an oversized box to give myself at least 2-4 inches of room all around the box. i then thoroughly water the tree and use a nonstick plastic wrap of about 2-3" to wrap the pot,leaving a bit of space around the trunk. this will keep the tree and pot together. i then wrap that in plastic bubbles.

the box itsef is lined with additional layers of bubbles followed by styrofoam peanuts at the bottom of the box. the tree then is fitted into the box. depending on the branching structure, i may wrap a nonstick plastic piece and pull the branches inward, like an upright broom. the surrounding space is thoroughly packed with peanuts to the hilt. if the branching is extra delicate, i will use a solid piece of styrofoam on the very top before sealing the box. i use only extra-strength scotch tape and seal every open lining double. the box is then marked 'GLASS' on all sides.

i have never been happy with UPS and will never use them again. fedex ground or usps priority i've had very good results with.

i prefer not to ship bareroot,mostly because many receivers are more often than not , not prepared with the correct soils, pottery or even knowledge to deal with repotting.

this may sound like a very expensive process, but the largest cost is for the cardboard box and the solid styrofoam. i purchase 250 ft rolls of the bubbles at somewhere around $.30/ft cost. peanuts aren't that expensive as i reuse what's shipped to me.

hope this helps.

John Hollo
The Bonsai Trading Company and Nursery

Ralph

Thanks guys for your very detailed accounts. I appreciate it.

__________________
Emerging from winter slumber
Bonsai trees burst buds anew
Spring is upon us!


-Paul S.

jzak

having been raised much of my life in and around White Rock Lake, it's the very least i could do for someone from garland. cheers john

bonsaibiker

In addition to all of the advice in the earlier posts you may want to do this also. When shipping a tree in a pot or container that has a lot of weight to it I have found that securing the pot to the bottom of the box it is setting in helps it survive even if it gets turned upside down. Place the tree in the box and poke holes through the bottom of the box on each side of the pot, run wire or string through the holes and up around the pot and tie them. Make sure to use a heavy box or the wire could rip out of the cardboard. Then add the styrafoam peanuts etc. This way if it gets turned upside down or dropped the weight of the roots/pot won't break off the top of the tree.

pdbbonsai

Reiner Goebel over on IBC had a detailed thread with pics about a year ago. You may wish to email him for the specifics...I found his method to be something I would try when and if I ever decide to ship something.

Paul

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