Mobile Palm Tree guys (Punta Gorda, Pine Island: landscaping, neighborhoods, buying)

[wjereb]

Anyone have any experience buying palms from the various tree guys that drive around the neighborhoods? I have been quoted under $200 each installed for Foxtails, Bottle palms, and Royals (if I buy 2). Can anyone speak for the quality of these palms?

Thanks,
Bill

[Sea Ray Mark]

Bill, the price means nothing without knowing the size. I can't help you with answering your question about these truck guys but I can give you a recomendation for Powell's nursery in Punta Gorda. Joseph Powell was great to deal with and very knowledgeable and helpful. I bought 9 trees from him and will be puying more. He's not the cheapest but you get what you pay for. Good luck with whatever you decide. Mark

[imapalmnut64]

palms

[RexLan]

The guys selling from their trailers are good to deal with. The go to the Island daily and buy fresh dug trees ... better than the local nursery who pots them and hold them forever at 5x the price too.

I paid $125 each for 4-6' trees, Pygmy, Fox, Queens. All planted and they did a heck of a nice job. Been 4 years and no losses.

$150 for a good size tree is top dollar - $200 and you're being ripped.

[SeaRay35]

Originally Posted by Sea Ray Mark

Bill, the price means nothing without knowing the size. I can't help you with answering your question about these truck guys but I can give you a recomendation for Powell's nursery in Punta Gorda. Joseph Powell was great to deal with and very knowledgeable and helpful. I bought 9 trees from him and will be puying more. He's not the cheapest but you get what you pay for. Good luck with whatever you decide. Mark

X2 for Powell. The mother is a trip to deal with

[Sea Ray Mark]

Originally Posted by RexLan

The guys selling from their trailers are good to deal with. The go to the Island daily and buy fresh dug trees ... better than the local nursery who pots them and hold them forever at 5x the price too.

I paid $125 each for 4-6' trees, Pygmy, Fox, Queens. All planted and they did a heck of a nice job. Been 4 years and no losses.

$150 for a good size tree is top dollar - $200 and you're being ripped.

I would agree that $200 is too much for a 6' tree which is why I stated that tree size is important. I think I paid in the $200 to $250 range for some of mine but they were 12' to 16' tall. The local nursey was growing these trees on their property but the little ones were in pots as you suggested. I was ready to buy my trees directly from a Pine Island guy but changed my mind when I met the folks at Powells. If you're purely looking at cost savings the trailer guys are probably going to initially be your cheapest route.

[MartyGras]

Two things you don't purchase off of the back of trucks.....trees and meat

Gary

[RexLan]

Originally Posted by MartyGras

Two things you don't purchase off of the back of trucks.....trees and meat

Gary

I heard that trees aren't allowed where you live but maybe they have lightened up a bit and allow meat now if it is grocery store certified ...

Sea Ray Mark - I tend to agree; however, the nursery guy really has nothing "extra" to bring to the table. I bought my trees as said from the local guys but I did spend about $3,000 at a good nursery for all of my shrubs, bark etc.

I actually tried the nursery to start and found their material was inferior and they hired out the planting so didn't really see much point to it. Maybe I was lucky but I got a great result and so have my neighbors.

[Sea Ray Mark]

Originally Posted by RexLan

I heard that trees aren't allowed where you live but maybe they have lightened up a bit and allow meat now if it is grocery store certified ...

Sea Ray Mark - I tend to agree; however, the nursery guy really has nothing "extra" to bring to the table. I bought my trees as said from the local guys but I did spend about $3,000 at a good nursery for all of my shrubs, bark etc.

I actually tried the nursery to start and found their material was inferior and they hired out the planting so didn't really see much point to it. Maybe I was lucky but I got a great result and so have my neighbors.

I guess what your nursery guy brings to the table depends on what you need. I know absolutely nothing about landscaping, palm trees, florida plants, shrubs and flowers so the nursery guy took the time to ride my wife and I around the yard (on more them one occasion)to educate us on some of the hundreds of different species he had. He also recommended a concrete landscape curbing guy and a landscaper. He called them while I was there and told them I would be calling so they knew to get back to me. They did and they've been great. If you have some knowledge of all of this stuff and know the right people maybe you don't need the extra service that I needed so for some the truck guys might be a great way to go but not for the horticulturally handcapped like myself. Lol