Can I Buy Trees Online?
February 2, 2025
Why Buying Trees Locally in Bismarck, ND is Your Best Bet
When it comes to buying trees for your home or landscape in Bismarck, ND, it's essential to consider more than just the cold hardiness zone. While online nurseries might seem convenient, they often overlook the unique challenges we face here in Central and Western North Dakota. Here's why buying trees locally can make all the difference.
Understanding Local Growing Conditions
In Bismarck and other parts of Central and Western North Dakota, we deal with a variety of factors that can affect tree growth, including:
- Cold Hardiness: Our winters can be harsh, and while a tree might be rated for our zone, it doesn't guarantee survival.
- Average Annual Rainfall: We experience varying rainfall, which can impact tree health.
- Soil Composition and pH: The local soil can be quite different from where the tree was originally grown.
- Long Dry Winters and Winter Winds: These can cause winter burn and other issues.
- Hot Summers: Our summers can be intense, requiring trees to be drought-tolerant.
The Advantage of Local Expertise
Buying from a local nursery means you get access to experts who understand these challenges. They can recommend trees that are more likely to thrive in our specific environment. For example, Arborvitae is a popular choice, but it has its quirks:
- Winter Winds: Even if cold-hardy, Arborvitae can suffer from winter burn. Local experts can advise on placement and protection.
- Deer: Deer love Arborvitae, especially in winter. Local nurseries can suggest protective measures.
- Drought Tolerance: While drought-tolerant, Arborvitae still needs supplemental watering, especially in its early years.

Cost Considerations
While online nurseries might advertise lower prices, shipping costs can add up. Local nurseries often have competitive pricing and the added benefit of local expertise. Plus, buying locally supports our community and ensures you're getting trees that are well-suited to our environment.
Top Reasons Why You Might be Tempted to Buy Online
- "Online nurseries are cheaper": While these online nurseries often advertise sales or free shipping, these costs are baked into their prices and passed on to you. Consider the hidden costs of shipping and the potential for buying trees that won't thrive here. That "cheap tree" may end up costing you much more than you had planned.
- "I don't have time to visit a local nursery": Many local nurseries offer online ordering and delivery, combining convenience with local expertise. Our experts are just a click or call away, and ready to get you tailored advice quickly.
- "I want a wider variety": Local nurseries often have a curated selection of trees that are proven to succeed in our area, reducing the risk of failure. The variety you are looking for may not even be appropriate for your landscape, and your local nursery may have a much better alternative.
Conclusion
Buying trees locally in Bismarck, ND, offers numerous benefits, from expert advice to better-suited plants. Your local nursery can help you choose the right trees and provide strategies to ensure they thrive in our unique environment. Support local businesses and give your trees the best chance to grow big and strong.
Thank you for reading, and I hope that you have found this information on local North Dakota nurseries versus online nurseries interesting and helpful.
If you are interested in planting trees in North Dakota this coming Spring, we can help. We are a licensed North Dakota nursery, and a licensed landscape contractor in Bismarck, North Dakota. We have trees available for retail sales, and we also provide tree planting services near Bismarck, North Dakota. All of our selections are trees hardy for North Dakota, and many of them are trees grown in North Dakota. If you are looking for a wind screen tree row, a large North Dakota shade tree, or even just some landscaping trees near Bismarck, we are here to help with all of your North Dakota tree needs.
If you have landscape needs outside of trees, shrubs and other North Dakota landscape plants, we have a large network of Local North Dakota Landscapers who can help you with ALL of your Landscaping in Bismarck, or all across Central and Western Noth Dakota. If you already have a local landscaper that you enjoy working with, ask them for Tree Rows 4 U trees and plants, from local North Dakota Tree and Plant Experts.
To see a few of our services offered: Tree Nursery, Landscape - Tree Rows 4 U - Bismarck, North Dakota
To see some of the trees we have available: Trees (treerows4u.com)
To contact us to order trees or to inquire about having us plant trees for you:
Tree Rows 4 U
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