Quality is defined by “the degree of excellence: how good, bad, useful, etc. something is”. Clear Ridge Nursery began as a reforestation nursery, and people hear the word reforestation and immediately think our trees will be of a lower grade because we don’t throw around “landscape quality” in our marketing.
Good news! While some of our trees are perfect for reforestation projects, much of the nursery is filled with straight, tall, branching trees perfect for landscaping needs. Our trees are planted at botanical gardens, museums, colleges & universities, golf courses & research institutes; as street trees in cities such as Washington, DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia; in public parks, at schools…And our customers are loyal to us because our trees don’t just survive, they thrive.
Sometimes the difference in wholesale pricing can be as little as a couple of dollars. Yes, a couple of dollars when you are buying 100 trees adds up, and sometimes that means choosing the cheaper nursery. Keep in mind, however, that the cost of replanting even a few dead or unhealthy plants can end up costing you much more down the line – Labor, delivery fees, and perhaps most important – customer satisfaction.
Things to think about when buying trees wholesale:
- Plan a visit to see the crop with your own eyes – Tree quality can be seen, quickly. Trees that are spaced properly have room to grow, not only tall but wide. Look for trees with healthy growth in all directions. In season, the leaves will also tell a story. Nothing can top a tour of the Nursery. The ideal time to visit is Summer, when plants are growing and we are not as busy.
- Ask for reviews! A little customer feedback can also tell a story. A longtime client in New York sent us this feedback from a fall 2025 installation: “We ordered 100s of containerized trees from Clear Ridge in Fall and the product, administrative services, and delivery were exceptional. It was the same quality and service that Clear Ridge showed us more than 15 years ago when I first visited the nursery…I visited the site last week. The 660 trees survived winter on the steep slope banks of the Hudson!”
- Be sure to specify where your trees will be planted! We can typically pull landscape quality trees for your order if that is what you need. We can’t always tell what type of project an order will be used for – The more information you provide, the better we can help you!
- Know your project! There is sometimes a disconnect we see on proposals – Landscape architects propose Native plants that quite honestly don’t transplant well or won’t thrive in a parking lot (I’m looking at you, Sassafras!) Be open to substitutions – We know our Natives and won’t steer you wrong.
Here at Clear Ridge Nursery, we have a very focused approach to growing. We know what we are good at – Growing gorgeous Natives that will stand the test of time whether planted in your front yard or in a future forest. Once you plant trees from us, you won’t want to plant anything else!