Almost anything can be purchased online, and that includes trees. When looking to buy trees online, there are some steps you should follow to make sure everything goes smoothly. For best results, use care in the online selection and purchase of your trees. Decide what kind of trees you want beforehand — or look around online to decide — be sure the tree can be legally shipped to you, and compare prices.
The first thing to consider is what kind of trees you want to buy. If you have something specific in mind, you can type it into a search box, along with the word “buy.” A review of the search results will help you find some nurseries and other sources where you can buy trees online, especially the specific trees you are seeking.
If you don’t have anything in particular in mind, do some online window shopping. Take time to look at the kinds of trees available and read as much as you can about them. See which ones might fit in your yard. Take into consideration such things as the final size of the tree, whether it tends to be messy — not a good choice for some areas, including near a patio or pool — and whether it is likely to grow well in your area.
Another aspect to consider if you want to buy trees online is whether the trees you choose can be legally shipped to you. Some states or localities may restrict certain kinds of plants, including trees, so a tree that is fine in one location may not be allowed in another. Check with the nursery or with the proper authorities in your area to see if there are any restrictions on having trees shipped to you from other areas. In many parts of the United States, a county extension service agent can help you with this. These agents can be found at the extension office in the county seat or through a state university.
Once you find the trees you want, compare prices to find one you feel is reasonable. Look for a reputable nursery that has been in business for a while. Make sure the shipping prices also are reasonable. Larger trees may be shipped by truck, which can get expensive, so know what you are getting before you place your order. Then go ahead and place your order and get ready to plant your trees.
There are other online options for getting trees aside from buying them. If you just want to plant a few trees and are not looking for something specific, look into programs by environmental groups that offer free trees in exchange for membership in the organization. Some of the organizations also allow you to buy trees online from them, sometimes at a lower cost than you would pay through a nursery. The trees will be small but easy to plant, and you can be sure that what they send you will be appropriate for your area.