FAQs

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SEEDLING AND A GRAFTED TREE?

A seedling is a tree that has been grown from a seed. A seedling produces fruit that may be very similar to the mother fruit..or may be totally different. Seedling trees are usually more winter hardy, grow more vigorously and are more adaptable to climatic extremes at maturity. SEEDLING trees are each unique in their genetic makeup and thus cannot be controlled or suppressed by GMO companies(like Monsanto).

GRAFTED trees give identical fruit to the mother tree from which the grafting wood was taken and can be used to control tree size by using dwarfing rootstocks. 

THE TREE REQUIRES A POLLINATOR, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

When a pollinator is required, any two seedlings or two different grafted trees of the same plant species must be planted (an apple tree will not pollinate with a pear tree).

THE TREE IS SELF POLLINATING, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

A self pollinating tree or plant will produce fruit all on its own.

WHY DO YOU SELL YOUR TREES without soil or BARE ROOT?

Bare root trees are safest and most efficient way to transplant fruit trees. They are dug out of the fields early in the spring and stored in a large cold room in damp sawdust to keep them dormant until you transplant them. Bare root trees are light and ship well in boxes which allows us to send our trees all over the country at a much cheaper cost that potted trees in soil. 

YOU SELL TREES IN THE OCT/NOV..... ISN'T IT RISKY TO PLANT TREES SO LATE ?

We can dig our trees in the fall once they have gone dormant. As long as the ground is not completely frozen they can be safely transplanted. This is essentially the same as planting a dormant tree in the spring. Since the tree is already asleep it really won't feel a thing!  

WHY DOESN'T MY TREE HAVE ANY BRANCHES?

For you tree’s first year branches have very little importance. What is important is that a good root system is established. With the absence of branches your tree can focus its energy on its roots. If it appears that your tree has been pruned to fit in the shipping box it probably has been. Do not worry; this is common in the bareroot tree industry. We would never do anything to a tree that would jeopardize its chance of survival.

MY TREES HAS A VERY SMALL ROOT SYSTEM. SHOULD I BE CONCERNED THAT IT WON'T THRIVE?

Roots come in many shapes, sizes and even colours! Some trees have very fibrous root systems while others have only a taproot(like a carrot) We very carefully select every tree that is shipped and would not send you anything that is ‘abnormal’ or not in optimal health 

I PLANTED A TREE AND IT NEVER STARTED TO GROW. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

WAIT...... eventually it should send out new growth. 


WHAT IS A 'ZONE' hardiness?

Plant hardiness zones help us to establish what we can grow and where. Zones are numbered from Zone 1 (the coldest zone) to 10 (the warmest zone). If you live in zone 4 you should be able to grow any plant rated as zone 4 to 10. Please use plant hardiness zone maps with caution. They are a good starting point but it is important to consider other factors when selecting plants. You may technically live in zone 4 but may have a micro-climate somewhere on your property that would bump you up to a warmer zone 5 or 6. Be brave. Don’t be afraid to take a chance. If Ken Taylor had not started taking chances 30 years ago.... there would not be the Green Barn tree varieties available today. If you don’t try you’ll never know. 

HOW DO I FIND OUT WHAT ZONE I AM IN?

The map below clearly outlines the plant hardiness zones in Canada. Click on image to enlarge.

Credit: Government of Canada

HOW SHOULD I PROTECT MY TREE DURING THE WINTER?

Caring for your trees during the winter is easy. Protect the graft and keep the critters (rodents, rabbits, deer, etc.) away! 

Before the first snow there are two important (yet simple) things you must do.

1.    Protect the graft by either creating a mound of earth, mulch or stones around the base of the tree so that the graft is buried. The graft can be uncovered once the weather warms up in the spring. We recommend protecting the graft for at least a couple of seasons.

2.    Protect against rodents by either using a piece of foam plumbing insulation (which will also protect your graft) or a mouse guard which you can either purchase or make yourself from a piece of chicken wire or aluminum foil.

WHEN WILL MY TREE START PRODUCING FRUIT?

In general most trees take 2 to 3 years to start producing fruit. Some species of berries and bushes will produce fruit the same year. 

I HAVE HAD A FRUIT TREE ON MY PROPERTY FOR YEARS IT NEVER GETS ANY FRUIT. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

If it produces flowers but no fruit then your tree probably needs a cross pollinator OR your fruit blossoms are not winter hardy OR your tree is old and diseased and should be replaced

HOW SHOULD I PREPARE MY SOIL BEFORE PLANTING MY TREES?

Unless you have extremely problematic soil (wet or pure sand) there isn’t much that you need to do in terms of soil preparation. If you do have clay you can add amendments such as compost to the surface of the soil. It may be tempting to fill your freshly dug hole with fertilizer or manure before planting your new tree but PLEASE do not put anything in the hole, you run the risk of burning its roots and killing your tree. 

I THINK MY TREE NEEDS TO BE PRUNED, WHAT DO I DO?

Every tree has its own preferred growing habits. Usually a tree is pruned for the grower’s convenience.

SHOULD I BE FERTILIZING MY TREES?

If your tree of plant is not producing new growth then yes fertilization may be needed. We recommend concentrated organic liquid fertilizers that can be added when watering. Putting mulch on top of the ground at the base of your tree once or twice a year will help to build up your soil which will eventually remove the need for fertilization. 

I JUST FINISHED PLANTING MY NEW TREES. HOW MUCH SHOULD I BE WATERING THEM?

Once on planting and then once every 2 weeks if no rainfall . A mulch on planting will help retain moisture all season long.

HOW DO I PLANT MY NEW TREES?

Fear not! Planting a tree is easy. Click here for step by step planting instructions on our Planting Advice page or view our video below.

I JUST RECEIVED MY NEW CITRUS PLANT AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH IT?

Click here to follow our step by step instructions on our Planting Advice page.

HOW MUCH DOES SHIPPING COST?

Shipping charges vary as to your location in Canada. After you have added your selections to your shopping cart... then check out with shipping option.. then shipping cost will be calculated for you.

Still need help? Do not hesitate to email your questions to ken@greenbarnnursery.ca or give us a call at (514) 951-9757