How do you ship your trees?

[Gonzoe]

What service do you guys use to send trees of different sizes? I haven’t sent any out before but I assume if it fits in a usps flat rate that’s the cheapest, but what if we’re taking about a larger tree? And how do you like to package?

 

[baldone]

Most of the ones I have shipped here are FedEx. The ones that ship in that Styrofoam peanuts are the ones I hate getting. They should out law that mess.

 

[rockm]

How big are you talking? I’ve used air freight drop shipping for big one over three feet. With pots weighing 50+ lbs. I ve used ups for smaller ones.

If they’re smaller take a page from places like Brussels or bonsaiboy. Look at their shipping pages and see who they use

 

[boonefrog]

I ship almost exclusively UPS. I keep stocked about a dozen different size/shaped boxes (18"-36" in length) and my securing process usually involves packing tape and bubble wrap for smaller stuff but I will sometimes use zip ties, custom cut foam, and packing peanuts (I know, a bummer, but sometimes it's the only option based on the packing challenge) when the tree calls for it. Describing the "how" of it is quite an involved process, as anyone who has shipped a variety of trees can tell you.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

Zach Smith shipped me a 3’ bald cypress through the USPS. He put the rootball in a large plastic bag and stuffed it in a cardboard box full of styrofoam peanuts. Made one hell of a mess getting it out but it arrived in good shape. I got another about 2’ tall from Brussels shipped pretty much the same way.

 

[Rodrigo]

@leatherback has a couple of great videos on shipping trees

 

[Slippery Pete]

Most of the ones I have shipped here are FedEx. The ones that ship in that Styrofoam peanuts are the ones I hate getting. They should out law that mess.

Creates quite a bold juxtaposition, doesn’t it? Is it unduly critical of me to pass judgement on a supplier who ships trees in polystyrene? I get it, it’s practical and it’s economical, and these suppliers are businesses looking to make money like everyone else. But it just always rubs me the wrong way. Here you have a humble tree which symbolizes life and filtration and beauty and you surround this ephemeral miracle with manmade CRAP which can’t even be recycled. Because it’s convenient? Boooooooo!!!

 

[WNC Bonsai]

I agree about those peanuts they are a real PITA, plus nobody will take them anymore and can’t be recycled, you just have to trash them.

 

[penumbra]

Most of the ones I have shipped here are FedEx. The ones that ship in that Styrofoam peanuts are the ones I hate getting. They should out law that mess.

I agree about those peanuts they are a real PITA, plus nobody will take them anymore and can’t be recycled, you just have to trash them.

Sorry guys, there is no better protection against heat or cold. I have never bought any, but I have and will use the bushels I have from others to protect my trees.