Working with Summit
What services do you provide?
Think of us as a travel agent for fruit trees. We keep the inventories of the nurseries we represent, find the trees you need, and place the order for you, so you don’t have to call nursery after nursery. We can also tell you which nursery offers the best quality or price, and we coordinate shipping with the nursery.
What do you charge?
Nothing. Your price is the same as if you ordered directly from the nursery.
How do you get paid?
The nurseries pay us a commission, as they do with many sales representatives. It doesn’t change your price.
Which nurseries do you represent?
We represent fruit tree nurseries across the country. Our inventory pages show what is available from multiple nurseries. Not every nursery’s inventory is published, so call us if you don’t see what you need.
Ordering
What’s the minimum order?
The minimum is 30 to 50 trees, depending on whether we can fill the whole quantity from one nursery. Contact us and we’ll let you know.
How soon should I order?
As early as you can. A budded tree takes two years to grow, so once a variety/rootstock combination sells out, it becomes available again only if someone cancels. We can’t predict when a combination will sell out.
When will my trees arrive?
Nurseries currently ship in the spring, typically from February through the end of May. The nursery will confirm your shipping date.
What happens after I place my order?
We place your order with the nursery (or nurseries) and you receive an acknowledgment. Follow the nursery’s instructions to confirm the order and send any required deposit. After shipping, your invoice comes directly from the nursery. If you have questions or changes, tell us and we’ll take care of them.
What if the trees I want aren’t available?
You can substitute a different variety, or we can put you on a wait list with a nursery that has propagated the combination you prefer. You’d be in line for any trees that become available through cancellations. If you’d rather not order but want to know if trees open up, we’ll add you to our want list and contact you if something comes available.
If a nursery can’t supply my trees, will the order carry forward to next season?
Usually not. Most nurseries don’t automatically carry orders forward. They may contact you to ask whether you want the order for the following delivery year, or you may need to reorder. Each nursery is a little different, so ask us.
Contract-grown trees
Should I order contract-grown trees?
Yes, if you can. Contract-grown trees are ordered before the nursery buds them. There are two advantages:
- You get what you want, when you want it. The variety and rootstock you ordered are grown for you.
- You pay less. The nursery doesn’t have to guess what it can sell, so it passes the savings on to you.
Most nurseries require a minimum of 1,000 trees for a contract order. Some require all 1,000 to be the same variety and rootstock, while many only require 1,000 in total, spread across more than one variety.
Types of trees
What’s the difference between finished trees, bench grafts, sleeping eyes, spring buds and rootstock?
- Finished trees: typically grown for two years in the nursery. They’re chip-budded in late summer, grown for two years, and delivered in the spring.
- Bench grafts: there are many methods and timings for bench grafts. Let us help you find the right fit.
- Spring buds: typically grown at California nurseries, which can shorten the time from ordering to delivery. Trees tend to be smaller.
- Sleeping eyes: the rootstock is chip-budded in the fall and delivered the following spring. These trees have little to no scion growth, but they cost much less.
- Rootstock: offered in wholesale quantities to nurseries and growers who want to grow their own trees.
Do you sell supplies?
Yes. We offer Plastrip budding strips, an exceptional budding strip that improves bud and graft take. See Plastrip budding strips.
Choosing and planting
Will you help me decide what to plant?
We’re happy to share what we know about varieties and rootstocks, but the final decision is yours. Start with your local extension agent. See also our variety articles and resources.
What rootstock should I plant?
It depends on the size of finished tree you want, your soil type, and where you’re located (your hardiness zone). See our rootstock descriptions and vigor chart.
What spacing should I use?
It depends on the finished tree size, your training system, and your equipment. Our tree spacing calculator works out trees per acre.
How do I know which pollinizers I need?
Use our pollination tool, which shows suggested pollinizers by variety.
Do I need to prune my trees at planting?
Yes. Check your warranty, because not pruning at planting may void it. In the nursery, trees are planted very close together, which limits root growth, and the digging equipment can cut some roots. Pruning keeps the top and roots in balance.
Ready to order, or have another question?
View inventory | Request trees | or call 1.800.424.2765