When is the best time to order?
Delivery of trees always takes place in the winter, but the best time to order is over the spring and summer - this is when we have the best stock availability and the widest choice of trees. We do not ask you to pay at this time, but the trees are reserved for you.
Do not wait to order until the planting time in your area, because by then we will have sold-out of many varieties.
Where do you deliver to?
For autumn 2023 we are able to deliver trees to most areas of Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland.
We hope to be able to extend deliveries to the following countries from autumn 2024: Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain.
If the checkout does not accept your postal code please contact us.
When will my order be delivered?
Deliveries take place in the period December - February. Within this period you can specify a delivery week to suit you.
What if the weather is too cold for me to plant between December and February?
Fruit trees must be dormant when they are delivered and planted. At our nursery in northern France the trees are usually dormant from late November to late February, so this is the only time that the trees can be sent to you.
Of course in many parts of central and northern Europe winter temperatures are too cold for planting, and it is necessary to wait until March or April. Furthemore, we try to avoid shipping trees in periods of very cold weather to minimise freeze damage in transit.
This means it might be too early for you to plant the trees at the time we have to send them ... but by the time it is safe for you to plant it is too late for us to send them.
The solution is that you should arrange to receive the trees in December, and then store them in a frost-free shed or garage, with the roots covered with soil or compost. You can keep the trees like this until the ground thaws in the spring. You must plant while the trees are still dormant and before they start to leaf-out. Never try to store trees in a heated house - they must be kept cold.
If you live in a cold climate we do not recommend planting in the autumn, it is too risky with young fruit trees. It is always safer to keep the trees over the winter and plant in the spring.
How do you send the trees?
We use a courier service for delivery of the trees.
The trees are supplied "bare-root", with the roots wrapped to prevent them drying out. They are packed inside a cardboard carton, and insulated with straw (which can be used after planting as a mulch for the trees).
The cartons dimensions are 150cm x 30cm x 30cm.
How big are the trees?
Most of our 1-year maiden trees are about 1.5m when we dig them up, but they can vary between 1m - 2m. The height depends on the weather over the growing season, the type of rootstock, and the species. For example, plum and cherry trees are often taller than apple trees.
In order to fit in the carton the trees will be cut back to about 120cm in height. This may sound harsh, but it is actually beneficial to the trees - it helps them get established after transplanting.
We can fit a maximum of 10 trees in each carton (although our minimum order is just 1 tree).
If you have ordered several trees they may be packed alternately top-to-bottom, as this makes better use of the space and stops the trees moving around during delivery.
Click here for photos of our trees at the time of packing.
Can I collect my trees from the nursery?
Yes, collection is possible, and will save you the cost of postage.
Place your order online in the usual way, and select "collection" instead of "delivery" at the checkout.
Once your order is on our system we will contact you to agree a collection date. Collections are possible by arrangement betweeen December and February.
When do I pay for my order?
We accept orders year-round but we can only deliver in the delivery periods described above. When you place an order the stock is normally reserved for you within a few days, but depending on the time of year when you place your order we may not request payment immediately. In general for orders placed during autumn, and winter, we will ask you to pay straightaway at the time of order if you want delivery as soon as possible. If you place an order in the spring or summer, we will take the order but you won't need to pay immediately. We will then send you an email notification nearer the time asking you for payment.
Do your trees have the EU plant passport?
Yes.
Do your prices include sales tax?
Yes, all prices and delivery charges include sales tax.
Sales tax is known as TVA in France, MWSt in Germany, IVA in Spain and Italy, BTW in Belgium and Netherlands, VAT in the UK.
If you are a trade customer and have a valid EU sales tax reference please let us know before you pay for the order. We will then remove the sales tax from the order.