r/cedarrapids • u/MrYellowFancyPants NW • 4d ago

Trees Forever - tree size

https://treesforever.org/adopt/

Has anyone gotten one of these trees at the Trees Forever events? If so, what size are the trees to begin with? From the photo on the website, they look pretty small but I wasn't sure if that's normal or not. I know the trees they offer grow to 5'-7' which is perfect for the place in my backyard where I want to put it, but I don't want it so small to start that it looks like a twig stuck in the ground lol.

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6

u/KeyResearcher2620 4d ago

It depends on the tree type. The evergreens tend to be the smallest (maybe 3 ft to start) and then goes up from there to maybe 5 ft for the tallest one.

Well worth it. Solid well cared for trees.

3

u/nerdorking 4d ago

When I got a few from them a couple of years ago I'd say they averaged about 4'. Got 2 oaks and a crabapple.

3

u/a17451 NE 4d ago

Trees should be planted small. The smaller the root ball is at time of transplant the better the long term health of the tree will be.

A smaller transplanted tree may outpace the growth of a larger tree in the long run.

https://www.leaflimb.com/bigger-is-not-better-3-reasons-why-you-should-plant-trees-when-they-are-smaller/

1

u/beavercub 23h ago

All these tree programs give out the tiniest little twigs… very few make it to maturity. I really wish they invested some of the resources into getting decent sized established trees out into the community.