How to Ship Fruit Trees

Overview

Fruit trees add shade and aesthetic appeal to a yard or garden. They provide color in the spring when fragrant blooms appear and in the summer and fall as fruit ripens. Fruit trees that have become established in the ground rarely survive being uprooted, packaged and shipped. Clean, healthy bare-root seedlings tolerate packaging and shipping. Dormant seedlings are easy to package and ship through the U. S. Postal Service.

Step 1

Clean the fruit tree roots. Place them under running water to remove any soil. Spread on a table to dry; takes approximately one hour.

Step 2

Label trees with the species and variety. Use labels with strings attached and write in permanent marker.

Step 3

Line a 2-gallon bucket with burlap. Place the fruit tree seedling in the bucket.

Step 4

Fill the bucket with sterile soil. The soil should cover the roots and 8 inches of the trunk.

Step 5

Wrap the burlap around the soil and roots. Secure with wire ties.

Step 6

Place the trees into the shipping box. Fill empty spaces with pack peanuts to secure the trees in place.

Step 7

Tape box closed. Properly address a priority mail label and affix to the box.