Buying a Tree: A Guide
Buying trees for the first time raises a lot of practical questions. How big will they be when they arrive? Which species suits your soil? How many do you need, and what else should you order alongside them? This guide answers the questions we're asked most, then points you to the right range for your project.
Shop All Trees Start the guideBefore you order: what to expect
These are the six things our customers ask about most before placing an order, whatever they're planting.
How tall will it be when it arrives?
Most of our trees arrive between 20 and 50cm tall, depending on species and the time of year. That's the size that establishes best, not the tree's final size. Young, actively growing stock settles in and grows away faster than a larger, more mature tree.
How big will it eventually grow?
This varies enormously by species, from compact garden trees to specimens that will eventually need the room of a field or estate. Each category guide sets out the mature scale of every species we grow.
Why does my tree look bare?
Broadleaf trees, most hedging plants and many shrubs are deciduous, so they lose their leaves every winter. A delivery between November and March may look like a bare stick. That's dormancy, not damage. Conifers are the exception, holding their foliage year round.
Why isn't it growing yet?
Some species put on visible height quickly, others spend their first couple of seasons building roots before top growth follows. Slower growth in year one isn't a sign that something's wrong.
Will every tree look the same?
Not exactly, and that's normal. These are living plants, not manufactured items, so expect some natural variation in height and shape within a batch. It won't affect how well they establish.
How much light does it need?
Most trees do best in full sun, though tolerance varies by species. If your site is partially shaded, get in touch and our team can help you pick something suited to it.
Which range is right for you?
We grow four main ranges. Most projects start with one of them, and each has its own detailed guide covering species, soil and scale.
Deciduous trees for wildlife, woodland creation, screening and garden interest. Best for woodland schemes and specimen garden trees.
Read the Broadleaf GuideEvergreen trees holding foliage year round, from garden specimens to forestry species. Best for structure, screening and exposed sites.
Read the Conifer GuideSpecies grown for close planting to form a boundary, formal or informal. Best for privacy, stock-proof barriers and wildlife corridors.
Read the Hedging GuideLower-growing plants for colour, fragrance, ground cover or wildlife. Best for borders, beds and informal planting.
Read the Shrubs GuideFour questions to answer first
Working through these before you browse will cut a long species list down to a handful worth considering.
What's the tree for?
Screening, wildlife, a single specimen or a mixed native scheme all call for different growth habits and shapes. Knowing the job narrows the choice fastest.
How much space have you got?
Some species suit a modest garden, others need the room of a field, park or estate. Always plan around mature size, not the size on delivery.
What's the ground like?
Wet, heavy, chalky or free-draining soil rules some species in and others out. Make sure to check your soil type first, and which species suits it.
Cell-grown or bare root?
This affects when you can plant, what you pay, and how the plants handle on site.
Common mistakes to avoid
Six things we see catch people out most often, and how to avoid each one.
Buying on looks alone
Choosing a species on appearance without checking the space it needs once mature. Always plan around mature size, not the size it arrives at.
Under-ordering for a hedge
Ordering a handful of single whips when a hedge needs close, bulk planting. A hedge needs roughly 6 plants per metre in a staggered double row.
Ignoring the ground
Planting a moisture-loving species on ground that dries out fully in summer, or the reverse. A quick test hole tells you what you're working with.
Expecting instant results
A newly planted hedge looks like a row of separate plants at first. It typically takes around five years to knit together into one continuous line.
Leaving stock too long
Leaving plants in their packaging once the weather warms up. Keep them cool and dry, and aim to plant within a couple of weeks.
Skipping tree protection
Young trees are vulnerable to browsing from deer, rabbits and hares in their first years. Guards and stakes are worth budgeting for from the start.
When your order arrives
A couple of checks before you start planting will save problems later.
Check your order
Open your delivery and check the species, quantities and condition of the plants. If you have any concern, get in touch within 7 days of delivery so we can take a look, often from photographs alone.
If you're not planting straight away
You don't need to plant immediately. Keep your plants in a cool, dry place and aim to get them in the ground within a couple of weeks. Dormant plants need little care before planting, but water them if the weather is warm.
When to plant
Because our stock is cell-grown, planting isn't limited to the traditional bare root season. You can plant at almost any time of year, though summer planting needs more attention to watering.
How to plant your trees
Broadleaf and conifer trees are planted individually, with enough room for the mature spread of the species. Check the mature scale before you choose a spot, particularly near buildings, boundaries or overhead lines.
Dig the hole
Dig a hole twice the size and about an inch deeper than the root plug.
Position the tree
Place the tree in the hole and hold it upright.
Backfill
Backfill the soil around it as you go.
Firm it in
Firm the soil gently with your heel.
Water and clear
Water well and keep the base clear of weeds.
Read the Conifer Trees Guide
How to plant your hedging
Hedging is the one range that needs close, staggered planting rather than a single line. Getting the layout right at planting time makes a real difference to how quickly the hedge fills out and how thick it ends up.
Mark out the rows
Mark out a staggered double row, roughly 3 plants per metre in each row.
Dig the holes
Dig a hole twice the size and about an inch deeper than the root plug for each plant.
Position each plant
Place the plant in the hole and hold it upright.
Backfill
Backfill the soil around it as you go.
Firm it in
Firm the soil gently with your heel.
Water and clear
Water well and keep the base clear of weeds.
How to plant your shrubs
Shrubs use the same planting method as trees. The difference is spacing, which depends on whether you're planting a border, ground cover or an informal hedge, so work to the mature spread of the species.
Dig the hole
Dig a hole twice the size and about an inch deeper than the root plug.
Position the plant
Place the plant in the hole and hold it upright.
Backfill
Backfill the soil around it as you go.
Firm it in
Firm the soil gently with your heel.
Water and clear
Water well and keep the base clear of weeds.
What else you'll need
A common question we get is what to order alongside your trees. These three categories cover most planting projects.
Tree protection
Guard young trees against deer, rabbits, hares and browsing animals while they establish. Spiral guards, mesh guards and stakes are available.
Shop tree protectionPlanting equipment
A proper planting spade makes the job far easier, particularly over a long run of hedge or in compact, rocky ground.
Shop planting equipmentFertilisers
Give your trees the best possible start, from controlled release fertiliser at planting time to top dressing that sustains growth once established.
Shop fertilisersFrequently asked questions
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Your trees arrive safely boxed, roots protected and well watered.
- UK mainland postage included
- Typically dispatched 2 to 3 working days after ordering
- 9 or more plants: courier, next day
- Smaller orders: Royal Mail, 48 hour tracked
- All timings are working days, from the day of dispatch
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Yes. We regularly supply trees at scale for forestry, farm, estate and community planting schemes, with flexible order quantities and fast processing. Get in touch with our team to discuss larger orders.
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We accept all major credit and debit cards, along with Apple Pay and other standard payment methods, through Shopify Payments.
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Yes, as long as it's before dispatch. Our turnaround is usually 24 to 48 hours, so get in touch as soon as possible. If your order hasn't been sent yet, we'll cancel it and refund you in full.
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No. Keep them cool and dry, and plant within a couple of weeks.
- Dormant plants need little care before planting
- In summer, keep them watered until they're in the ground
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We check every tree before it leaves the nursery, but mistakes happen.
- Contact us within 7 days of delivery
- Often diagnosed from photos alone
- Free replacement or refund where we're at fault
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Yes. Every tree is grown at our own nurseries in East Lothian from UK-sourced seed, we never import stock. We're Plant Healthy certified, so traceability and biosecurity are assured.
Ready to choose your trees?
Browse the full range of UK-grown trees, hedging and shrubs, or get in touch and our team will help you choose.