FAQs

KNOW BEFORE PLANTING

The first and most obvious step in your plan is measuring your space. How much space do you have to work with, both in the soil and the area above ground? Trees vary significantly in size and planting the appropriate tree in your yard is important. If you have limited space, you could ruin your property by planting an oak tree. Similarly, if you have a wide-open space and want to fill it, you may regret planting a tree that stops growing at 15 feet. Always consider the mature size of your tree before selecting one. Don't only consider the leaves, color, and style. It's also crucial to check for overhead powerlines and underground utility lines and pipes. Contact your utility company or a utility locator service to make sure you won't accidentally strike a water pipe when digging.

The U.S. is home to many different types of soil. Most trees need fertile, clammy soil to grow. However, different trees enjoy different types of soil. Make sure your property's soil matches the type your tree desires. The next step is to figure out where the best soil on your property is. Depending on where you live, you may have clay deposits or sandy soil that can prevent healthy tree growth. You also may have a part of your yard that sits lower than the rest, which can collect floodwater. You may not even know that you have old stumps buried under your yard. Check the condition and feed your soil properly prior to planting your new tree.

Always consider safety when planting your tree. This includes the aspects of avoiding overhead powerlines and underground water lines, but trees can surprise you in more ways. A large tree planted close to your home is nice until it provides a simple path for critters like raccoons and squirrels to access your home. You also should worry about storms knocking down heavy branches that can fall on your home, cars, and family members. Additionally, consider how many acorns you want to pick up every year, or how large other nuts are when falling from your tree. Walnuts hurt when falling from 20 feet.

This sounds like a silly question – but it's important. You need to determine the amount of sun exposure your tree will receive and how light will affect your property. Plants need sunlight to live, but you also need to consider how much shade you want to provide on your property. Consider where the sun hits your home in the morning, afternoon, and dusk. Would planting a tree in the place you selected interrupt your view of beautiful sunsets? Or are you looking to create some more privacy? It's also a good idea to consider wet areas around your property, as some trees don't thrive with excess moisture. Finally, you should strive to be a good neighbor when making your selection. Recognize that some trees can drop nuts or seeds that can impact your neighbor's yard or block their view.

With proper care, a tree will most likely outlive you. Planting a tree on the earth creates a legacy that can span lifetimes. A tree cleans the air and soil for decades and provides for the ecosystem. Trees give homes to birds and critters around your yard. Imagine how many summers can be spent relaxing under the shade of your favorite backyard tree. Make sure you consider all these aspects when enjoying the process of planting your new tree. If you have any questions or need a professional opinion, give us a call.

Plants and trees require plenty of oxygen, just like humans and animals do. They photosynthesize it to make food and use it for breathing. Oxygen is energy. The most imposing, majestic trees in the forest require it the same as a modest cactus. But what many do not realize is how vital the air beneath the surface is. Below-ground oxygen is critical to root health because it must have a steady supply of oxygen to grow and provide the rest of the plant with oxygen. In many cases, houseplants and trees die because of avoidable root failure. The primary cause is air pockets, and two factors combine to create them:

  • Over-Watering: Be careful not to give your plants too much water. There is no air in water, as you know, so overly saturated, saturated soil will not provide enough oxygen to your plants. By surrounding your plants with water and not draining their pots, the roots will suffocate.
  • Soil Decay: Compaction is the other factor impacting air pockets. Essentially, soil decay is the opposite problem. When you deny soil oxygen, it needs to feed the roots, and compacted soil replaces healthy soil. If you do not address this issue, the soil will decay.
  1. Step One: Pre-Soak and Saturate the Root Ball Once Moon Valley Nursery delivers your tree or plant, you can begin the planting process. However, do not immediately dig a hole and place the root ball inside. Instead, be patient. Purchase a five-gallon bucket at a local hardware store and fill it with water and submerge the plant or tree into the water. Keep it there until there are no longer any bubbles forming on the surface. At that point, you have a fully saturated root ball.
  2. Step Two: Pre-Soak the Soil for Optimal Plant Health Pre-soaking the soil is also essential. First, dig a hole twice the size of your root ball. Next, fill it with water using a garden hose. From there, you need to allow the water to drain. It may help to set up a timer because the water should not drain quickly. It makes sense to repeat this twice, just to be safe. Some of our Texas and Florida customers live in areas with heavy clay soil. If that is the case, pre-soaking the soil will take longer.
  3. Step Three: Backfill the Hole Properly It is tempting to place your plant in the hole, fill it, and then walk away. But backfilling a hole is more complicated than that. Once you finish pre-soaking the soil, the journey is almost over. Taking care during this final step is the last way to ensure you have a flourishing plant or tree for years to come. First, place your tree or plant in the hole. Be sure to stabilize the trunk; you don’t want your tree to topple under its weight! Next, water the area again, which will settle the soil and remove lingering air pockets around the roots. The last step is one many people don’t think about. Create a basin around the plant and put some mulch in that spot. Mulching is crucial to excellent plant growth.

AVOID TREE AND UTILITY CONFLICTS

Most of the time, you never have to pay attention to utilities and power lines. We tend to ignore them and forget that they provide us with reliable services such as bringing power and water to our homes. However, when it comes to planning and planting trees on your property, you need to pay attention and plan according to the locations of any overhead and underground lines. As trees grow, their branches can come in contact with overhead lines that carry electricity, communication, and data. Underground, a tree’s roots can cause damage to water lines, sewage pipes, and natural gas lines. Knowing where these lines run throughout your property should directly impact how you plan your tree and planting locations. For instance, the mature, fully-grown height and spread of a tree must not come within certain spaces of said lines. Similarly, the soil area needs to meet requirements for proper rooting and trunk diameter. With the correct tree and site location, you can enjoy worry-free greenery and flora on your property for years to come.

When it comes to planning your tree growth, it's imperative to consider overhead powerline locations. Overhead lines can be extremely dangerous. If you plant your tree under a power line, you will have to constantly prune it in often strange and unsightly ways to avoid contact with the overhead lines. Even worse, your utility provider may prune your tree with little care for aesthetics. By periodically pruning your growing tree, you’ll inevitably affect its lifespan and overall health. They become less stable as they grow away from and around the lines, creating stress on the wood and making them more vulnerable to disease and insects. Furthermore, your tall trees can interrupt service if they contact these wires. Anyone climbing the tree is at severe risk of coming in contact as well. In short, avoiding planting trees where there are overhead lines reduces the risk of safety hazards, and expenses for trimming and pruning, and improves the look and life of your trees.

When you look at a tree, you only see roughly 50% of it. The roots underground take up just as much, if not more space. They can also spread widely throughout your property, creeping into unwanted spaces. Many utility services like water lines and sewage pipes run underground, often uninterrupted. While roots and utility lines usually don't cause problems together, they can. If you plant a tree near underground lines, your roots can damage the pipes, causing catastrophic damage. Additionally, to prevent these breaks, your tree roots may be trimmed and broken when digging up the pipes for repair. Before you select a place to plant your tree, make sure you know where the underground lines are. Contact your utility company or a utility locator service to make sure you won't accidentally dig into a line. The last thing you want when planting a tree is burying your shovel or excavator into a waterline, risking injury, and interrupting service.

Trees are categorized into three different zones: tall, medium, and low. Tall trees are recognized as 60 feet or taller. These need to be planted at least 35 feet away from any property to minimize damage and allow for proper root growth. Tall trees are recommended for large, open areas where they have space to grow without interruption from overhead and underground lines and buildings. Medium trees grow up to 40 feet in height. They're perfect for accenting your home or creating a quaint park. You should plant them at least four to eight feet away from each other to allow for healthy growth. Trees 20 feet and shorter fall in the low zone. You can plant these without the worry of interrupting overhead utility lines as they won't reach a height tall enough to damage them. Low-zone trees are also a good solution when you're limited in soil volume.

It's important to plan for your tree's life while paying attention to the surrounding buildings and utilities. With proper planning and habits, your new trees will live long, prosperous lives without the need to damage their branches or roots. If you aren't sure about where to plant your tree, you can always contact a specialist or an arborist. We have years of experience helping plan and plant trees of all sizes in all types of settings.

EXTENDED WEATHER PROTECTION

  • Free double staking if necessary (up to $50 value)
  • 1-year weather protection from the date of planting
  • No charge for a return delivery/installation when the Extended Weather Protection is redeemed.
  • Free Tree Wrap (Nevada and Arizona Only)

The Extended Weather Protection Plan must be purchased before the plant date.

Yes! Please visit or call your nearest Moon Valley Nurseries to get started!

The Extended Weather Protection covers each tree against loss for one (1) year from the date of planting. This includes frost, wind (so long as the tree continues to be double staked), heat stress, weather-related damage, and normal loss of a tree.

If a customer purchases multiple trees that are the same size and type, he/she must purchase an extended warranty for each item. For example, if the customer is purchasing 5 Huge Shamel Ash trees, and he/she wants to get Extended Weather Protection, the customer must buy 5 Extended Weather Protections. No Exceptions.

Call or come visit the location you purchased the tree from. From there, Moon Valley Nurseries will make it easy to pick out your new tree for replacement at no additional cost.

Yes! Reach out to the location you originally made the purchase at and we will get you started on your replacement!

Replacement tree will be of the same size and specimen as purchased on the original invoice. For instance, if a customer originally purchased a “Huge” size tree, when the warranty is used, the replacement tree will be the “Huge” size as well.

Moon Valley Nurseries will have up to, but no longer than, 90 days to provide the replacement.

Absolutely! We go above and beyond for our customers and want to make sure you are 100% satisfied.

Moon Valley Nurseries will have up to, but no longer than, 90 days to provide the replacement.

TREE AND PLANT FROST CARE

We recommend immediately applying Super Charged Moon Juice to all trees and plants, whether they show major or minor damage, as frost damage is not always visible. Super Charged Moon Juice accelerates the recovery process by increasing the uptake and retention of moisture and nutrients. It also helps stimulate the growth of root hairs, new stems, and foliage. If you already have some, be sure to begin applying it; if not, Super Charged Moon Juice is now available for online ordering & delivery.

It’s best to avoid pruning until the last chance for freezing conditions has passed, usually around mid-February to early March (meaning we’re out of the possible times of the year for freezing).

If you prune now, the healthy part of the plant can be exposed to frost and will suffer enough damage with future frost exposure that it may not recover. Also, the damaged foliage protects from the sun while the plant/tree is recovering.

Do not prune until freezing temperature are gone.

You should prune dead material only, so whatever is gray/brown in color (branches/wood) should be cut. Any black, purple, or otherwise strongly discolored leaves should be removed. Never prune more than 33% of the tree.

If a leaf is strongly wilted now, it will turn color in a few days to a week, and you should still wait until March before trimming. Plants will drop old, dead growth to push new, fresh growth.

Tell-tale signs of a dead tree or plant are:

  • No visible green in any trunk or branch
  • No sign of any new growth in the coming weeks (the plant maintains or degrades in shape/color)
  • The tree or plant in question has a pumpkin-like or rotten fruit odor

Keep an eye on your tree in the coming days and weeks. If wilted leaves do not begin to drop on their own, that's a sign that the tree will not push new growth and will need to be replaced.

Do NOT throw it away. Frost cloth can and should be reused for many years. Let it air-dry, and then roll it into a tight roll or fold into a neat square and place it in a cool, dry environment. Avoid putting it in hot places during the summer (like garages or attics) to prevent it from drying out. Properly storing frost cloth will usually let you reuse it for years.

The answer to this question depends on the type of grass that makes up your lawn. If you are using:

  • Bermuda Grass - do nothing; it should come back on its own. Although applications of Moon Royale and even Moon Green can help expedite this process
  • Rye Grass or Overseeded Rye Grass - Fertilize with Moon Royale now and water to a depth of 3-4 inches. Do NOT use weed & feed-type products – these will put considerable stress on the lawn and prevent it from regrowing.

The fruit is OK if it’s not mushy or split; if it looks fine, it should be perfectly safe for consumption. Note: Before a forecasted freeze, pick the fruit off your tree. This will keep the fruit safe and help the tree conserve the energy it uses holding on to the fruit for surviving the freezing temperatures, thus increasing the likelihood of survival.

Please do not use fruit-inhibiting sprays, as they can interfere with the new growth of trees and plants. Freeze damage often limits fruit growth so such products won't be needed.

CACTI, AGAVES, AND SUCCULENTS

Moon Valley Nurseries is a respected nursery with locations in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas. Succulent care, as well as proper agave and cacti-growing techniques, are essential. We want to help. We've compiled a list of questions our customers frequently ask us about their plants. Our team believes growing plants is a rewarding and therapeutic hobby! Learning how to do so isn't difficult.

You are overwatering your cactus plants. Keep in mind that cacti are desert plants. They evolved to exist in arid climates without much rainfall. For instance, your cactus can thrive on just a tablespoon of water per month during the cold months. One excellent way to tell whether you are overwatering is whether the soil dries. Do not water again until it dries.

Cacti are desert plants, so they not only thrive in the heat and sun of the summer but require it. You don’t have to move a cactus outside, though. If you live in an apartment without space to store a plant outside, you can still set up the cactus by a window. One of the redeeming qualities of cacti is their resilience. After all, the desert is an unforgiving climate for any species.

Creating a new cactus plant is called propagating. The process is quite simple! First, you need to find a spot on your cactus not visible and carefully cut it. Then, dip the cut end into rooting hormone, which will prime the cacti. Finally, plant the burgeoning cactus piece in a small pot of fast-draining soil. Don’t worry if you don’t see immediate responses; cacti grow slowly.

They do, but they require specific conditions to bloom. Don’t worry if none of your cacti have produced flowers. Cacti are resilient, but they are also fickle. You need to provide temperature fluctuations to your cactus plant (between a 20 and 25-degree variation between night and day.) You can feed your cacti low in nitrogen and high-potassium fertilizer to encourage the plant, too. If you pull your plant outside during the summer, be careful not to expose it to direct sunlight.

First, don’t despair! Keeping an agave plant alive is a fun challenge. They are particular plants, requiring quite a bit of care, and many things can go wrong. For instance, many agave owners expose it to temperatures that are too hot or cold, fail to drain the soil, plant it too deeply, over-water it, and don’t provide enough light. Moon Valley Nursery can provide you with an in-depth set of advice to help your agave plants flourish!

Yes! Once you master keeping an agave plant alive, you can use the existing plant to create new opportunities. Much like with a cactus, propagating is a simple process. A flourishing agave has offsets. These mini-plants sprout at the base. To reproduce the plant, remove the offsets and let them sit out for a few days. This will dry them out and prepare them for planting. Don’t plant the offsets too deeply; this will prevent stem roots.

It is true that agave plants naturally love living outside. But agave plants thrive in dry conditions, not humid ones. Our Florida customers should not attempt to grow an agave plant outdoors. Florida is too humid. Sometimes, plant owners decide to move the agave outside after it has grown accustomed to living inside. The move to the harsher outdoor climate kills it. Instead of moving your plant outdoors and leaving it, gradually introduce the plant.

No. We grow our succulents in a greenhouse, and they are not used to direct sunlight. If you immediately expose the plant to sunlight, it will burn. Plants are incredibly adaptable, though. Instead of immediately putting it outside or next to a window, expose it to the sun gradually.

Fortunately, someone has thought of a catchy, easy-to-remember golden rule for maintaining a healthy succulent. Water them when their soil dries. Never water wet soil. Too much water will kill your succulent. Your watering schedule should increase during the summer, but you should never deviate from this rule. Succulents, like all plants, require water. They just hate swimming in it!

GENERAL QUESTIONS:

There are many tree varieties that are water-wise. Water requirements or drought tolerance in a tree is largely determined by how acclimated it is to the region it is being planted in. Native tree species will be more tolerant to drought and require less water than non-native varieties.

At Moon Valley Nurseries, all our trees are grown in our local environment and soil conditions to ensure they are well-acclimated to the region they will be planted in. This allows our entire tree selection to be about as drought-tolerant and water-wise as most natively growing tree varieties. Some of our favorite water-wise tree varieties are the Tipu, Southern Live Oak, Olive, Museum Palo Verde, Chilean Mesquite, Red Push Pistache, Crape Myrtle, Moon Glow Magnolia™, True Green Elm, and Vitex.

Which trees are described as low maintenance will be different for everyone. Tree maintenance can encompass watering requirements, trimming and pruning needs based on growth pattern and speed, fertilizer and supplement needs, litter cleanup, leaf molting droppage, and weather resistance.

Some homeowners prefer deciduous trees and consider them low maintenance because they drop their leaves only once a year, however, others prefer evergreen trees because, while they do molt continuously throughout the year and drop some leaves, they do not drop all their leaves at once as deciduous trees do.

It comes down to preference, some like to clean up a large amount once a year, while others prefer to clean up a smaller batch of litter often. Which trees are considered low maintenance to you will be largely determined by your needs in a tree, where it is being planted, and how you prefer to care for your landscape.

Because our trees are all grown locally, many maintenance factors are cut out or reduced, such as hardiness, weather resistance, fertilizer requirements, and water needs.

Typically, seedless, deciduous, non-flowering trees will be considered the cleanest tree varieties available by most people.

Some homeowners prefer deciduous trees and consider them low maintenance because they drop their leaves only once a year, however, others prefer evergreen trees because, while they do molt continuously throughout the year and all always dropping leaves, they do not drop all their leaves at once as deciduous trees do.

It comes down to preference, some like to clean up a large amount once a year, while others prefer to clean up a smaller batch of litter often. Which trees are considered clean to you will be largely determined by your needs in a tree, where it is being planted, and how you prefer to care for your landscape.

Because our trees are all grown locally, many maintenance factors are cut out or reduced, such as hardiness, weather resistance, fertilizer requirements, and water needs.

Contrary to popular belief, Moon Valley Nurseries' trees and plants can be planted at any time throughout the year! Because we grow in the climates we plant in, our trees and plants are already used to our soil and the weather we get. Summer, fall, winter, and spring are all great times to get started on your dream landscape!

This belief comes from traditional growing practices that were common before Moon Valley Nurseries popularized local growing. There was a time when much of the plant material carried by local nurseries and garden centers was imported from regions where it grew quickly. This meant that the material could be sustained at the nursery or garden center but once it was transplanted into local soil it was drastically different from the soil and climate it was grown in.

Because of this practice, it was suggested that plant material be primarily planted during the spring due to the mild weather, extra rainwater, and distance from winter, allowing the tree or plant to have as much time as possible to acclimate to its new environment before harsh weather.

This practice is largely rendered obsolete by growing plant material in the local climate and soil. The trees are already used to being in that environment, greatly limiting transplant shock and stress. It's as if the tree was always in the ground at your home when you plant a Moon Valley Nurseries tree!

It is still wise to plant some varieties at certain times of the year, depending on your specific region. You are more than welcome to consult your local Nursery Pros about the trees and plants you'd like to plant in your yard. We are happy to offer a wealth of knowledge to ensure a successful transplant.

Depending on the species, there may be different signals the plant gives to communicate it is being overwatered. Flowering trees may drop their flowers prematurely, citrus and fruit trees might drop their fruit, or the fruit may burst open before ripening, and deciduous trees might drop their leaves long before the cooler months. In most cases, the leaves of your tree or plant will begin to develop a yellow hue. This is not always a sign of overwatering, however.

If you suspect your trees or plants are being overwatered, it is best to reach out to one of our Nursery Pros. We will communicate with you to better understand your watering setup and schedule, the planting area, and any other factors that may contribute to the issue to diagnose and help your trees and plants recover from overwatering stress.

Much like our other trees and plants, Moon Valley Nurseries' Palm Trees are grown in the same environment they will be planted in. Because of this, our palm trees are already acclimated to the local weather and can be planted year-round.

All trees and plants benefit from the nutrients found in fertilizers and supplements. Much like our appearance and health are representative of the nutrients we consume, the appearance and health of your landscape are directly influenced by proper fertilization in combination with a correct watering and maintenance schedule.

As a rule of thumb, fertilizing your trees and plants once a month from late February to early September is sufficient for most varieties. You can apply micronutrients throughout the year.

It is important to use the correct fertilizer for your species of trees and plants and to be mindful of over-fertilization. You can always ask our Nursery Pros for fertilization advice or check out the care guides on our website.

The varieties of trees that can be classified as cold hardy are going to vary a bit from region to region, but as a general rule, trees and plants that are deciduous are going to be the most cold hardy due to their dormancy during the coldest months. The lack of leaves during these seasons allows them to have maximum frost resistance.

Many evergreens are generally cold-hardy as well. Live Oaks, Olives, Magnolias, Peppers, Privets, Pines, Cypress, Laurels, Holly Varieties, and many others are all extremely cold tolerant and frost hardy.

Most trees grown locally to the climate they will be planted in will have natural cold hardiness as they've acclimated through many winters. The more mature of a tree you plant, the better it will handle cold temperatures with less effort needed to care for it in extreme temperatures.

Preparing trees for storms is easier than most people think. When our Tree Care Division comes out, they will first trim away any dead or damaged branches and then focus on branches that are growing in problematic directions. In doing this, they are creating better airflow through the tree while cutting any dead and unwanted weight. Allowing air to flow freely through the canopies of your trees will help prevent any snapping or breaking of branches.

There are many facets to preventing pest attacks in your landscape, but there is a major encompassing theme. Healthy trees are far more resistant to pests and diseases than unhealthy trees. Much in the same way that pathogens will seek to attack humans with weak immune systems first, pests will seek out trees that are the weakest. A tree that is well-fertilized, properly watered, and professionally pruned will naturally fight off most pests.

Should you desire an extra layer of protection you can use a variety of natural and conventional pesticides available to aid in fighting off any possible attacks. Neem oil is a great, all-natural topical solution that creates a protective barrier and fights off insects, mites, and fungal infections. Neem oil is also safe for use on edible and fruit-bearing plants.

For a stronger solution, you can use a systemic pesticide that is taken up by the tree or plant's roots and flows through its vascular systems. These pesticides are consumed by pests immediately upon attack preventing any further damage. Systemic pesticides are not safe for human consumption and should not be used on edible plants, vegetables, fruit, or citrus trees.

In most areas of the Southwest, some popular fast-growing tree varieties include Indian Laurels, Elms, Desert Museum Palo Verdes, Chilean Mesquites, certain Oak Varieties, most Ash varieties, Tipus, most Acacias, and many Eucalyptus varieties, amongst many more.

While it may be common knowledge that certain species of trees grow faster than others, it is not so common that trees grow at wildly different rates depending on where they are planted. For example, Brazilian Pepper trees are considered an invasive species in Florida and other nearby regions due to their aggressive growth rate in that climate and soil composition. However, in Arizona, Nevada, and California, they are a slow-growing tree that is very manageable and maintains a moderate overall size at maturity. Soil compositions and regional weather patterns have a major impact on the growth rate of most tree varieties.

With that being said, it is important to consult a nursery professional in your local area about which trees are fast-growing or slow growing. In most areas of the Southwest, some popular fast-growing tree varieties include Indian Laurels, Elms, Desert Museum Palo Verdes, Mesquites, Oaks, Ash, Tipus, Acacias, and Eucalyptus, amongst many more.

Water requirements and drought tolerance in a tree are largely determined by how acclimated it is to the region it is being planted in. Native tree species will be more tolerant to drought and require less water than non-native varieties.

At Moon Valley Nurseries, all our trees are grown in our local environment and soil conditions to ensure they are well-acclimated to the region they will be planted in. This allows our entire tree selections to be about as drought-tolerant and water-wise as most natively growing tree varieties. While most of the trees in our inventory require very little water once established, some of our favorite desert-native trees include the Chilean Mesquite, Museum Palo Verde, Tipu, Olive, Thevitia, Desert Willow, Vitex, Ironwood, Texas Ebony, and African Sumac.

If you want to plant a tree that will bear fruit for you and your family, you could select a mulberry tree for their berries (native to Florida). Texas residents can plant a beech tree for their delicious nuts and try to beat the squirrels to the prize. Maple trees produce bark ideal for firewood, and so do cedar trees. Sycamore and maple trees are perfect for syrup-producing companies and commercial restaurants who want freshly-harvested toppings. Customers who desire an unending supply of pecans should jump at the opportunity to plant a hickory tree.

Moon Valley Nurseries' Privacy Hedges are the best way to keep the outside world out. Not only do they create a visual blockade from neighbors and other peering eyes, but privacy hedges also block road noise, gusting winds, and can add value to your home!

Shade trees provide numerous benefits to our yards, homes, and wallets. Shade trees offer impressive cooling and energy-saving capabilities to us and our homes. Many studies have been conducted that have determined shade trees can cool down your home by around 10-20 degrees and can increase energy efficiency by around 25%.

Shade trees also act as focal points in your landscape design helping to provide anchors for the rest of the design to work off of. This encourages landscape layering techniques, enhances curb appeal, and can improve home value by up to 19%, according to several recent nationwide surveys.

Citrus and fruit trees pour much of their growing energy into producing their fruit. For this reason, most varieties will not begin to produce fruit until the tree has begun to mature, allowing them to develop solid roots and foliage before undertaking the strain of fruit production.

Most varieties will reach the point between 3-5 years old and begin producing a sparse crop. Around age 6-8, the fruit or citrus tree will start growing a hearty and reliable annual crop. As fruit trees mature and are well cared for, both the quality and quantity of the crop increase. Moon Valley Nurseries carries a wide selection of citrus and fruit trees for sale at fruit-producing stages at many of our nursery locations.

Yellow leaves can be a symptom of several deficiencies. In some varieties of trees and plants, yellowing leaves are a sign of overwatering. In other cases, it can be a sign that your plants aren't getting enough water or are deficient in certain nutrients. Iron Chlorosis or a Manganese deficiency will usually result in yellowing leaves as well, especially in palm trees and tropical plants with large leaves.

Because of the vast number of reasons leaves can yellow, it is important to have a professional diagnose the cause to ensure the correct treatment is chosen. If you are noticing yellowing leaves in your landscape, feel free to reach out to the Nursery Pros at your local Moon Valley Nurseries location. We're always happy to help!

Yes, you can! There is a vast palette of desert-native and drought-tolerant trees, palms, and plants that have a very tropical appearance! From desert palms such as Resort-style Date Palms or Mediterranean Fan Palms to flowering trees such as Vitex, Evergreen Birds of Paradise, and Crape Myrtles, the selection of colorful, tropical-styled plants is huge.

The usage of clever design and well-acclimated plant material can result in a beautiful, tropically inspired landscape that requires almost no water once established. Give one of our Professional Landscape Designers a call today if you'd like to achieve an easy-to-care-for tropical landscape in a desert state.

Depending on where you live, zoning and permits are not needed to plant trees. We do look underground to ensure we aren't planting directly over any utility line and above ground to make sure the area is clear of power lines. We also work with homes in HOA communities to ensure we meet proper requirements.

Trees can die from overwatering, underwatering, heat damage, frost damage, pest attacks, fungal infections, physical damage, weather damage, and some other ailments. In most cases, the cause of the decline of a tree can be diagnosed early enough to save the tree.

Our Nursery Pros have a deep knowledge of the issues that can cause trees to die, can diagnose these problems early, and offer solutions to restore your trees to perfect health! If you suspect your trees may be dying, please reach out to your local Moon Valley Nurseries location, and our Nursery Pros and certified arborists will be glad to help you save your trees!

Moon Valley Nursery offers a wide selection of palm trees for our Florida customers. Don’t worry about buying with expertise. We take care of that for you. We can educate you on the best-looking, largest, and best palm tree for your property.

Yes! Stripping bark from a tree is not harmful if you don’t overdo it. Different species’ bark provides varying levels of usefulness. For instance, both residential and commercial properties can select their new tree based on the bark's benefit:

  • Mulberry: Mulberry bark is useful in three ways: tinder, medium-quality firewood, and cordage material.
  • Cedar: Companies who create cordage or baskets should consider a cedar tree so that they can locally-source their products. The fibrous bark from this tree is excellent for tinder and kindling.
  • Pawpaw: Camping enthusiasts can theoretically strip some of the bark from their pawpaw tree, pack it, and use it for campfire tinder.
  • Cottonwood: Does your company regularly tan leather? Whether you are a professional or hobbyist, the bark from cottonwood is perfect for this essential task.
  • Pine: Pine bark is edible if you know what you’re doing – especially the inner portions. All you have to do is skin the trunks and branches and grind it into a powder. Add it to bread dough and other dishes!

One of the most important components of choosing a tree is knowing which species will clash with their surroundings. We don’t want to plant invasive species whose roots will spell doom for their surroundings or otherwise cause problems. If helping the ecosystem is your primary concern, then you should select a keystone species. These trees play vital roles in the rest of the ecosystem and help the environment. Common keystone species include aspen or willow trees. Our team can help you find the right tree for your ecosystem.

If your property rests in the Sierra Nevada or California, you might consider a lodgepole pine tree, an abundant species capable of thriving in harsher climates. White oak is another excellent option because it can grow tall and proud on mountain slopes. East coast customers in Florida should consider a flowering dogwood tree, which exists naturally in urban landscapes and forests at sea levels of up to 5,000 feet.

If you desire a row of pine trees on your property for privacy and aesthetics, there are plenty of options. Fortunately, most species are abundant throughout the United States. Our Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Florida, and California customers can count on several species to beautify their property. For instance, you can select the loblolly or lodgepole. While these are the most common options, there are thousands of species. We can help you choose the best one based on your location.

While many people may consider the desert to be a barren landscape, it is not. At Moon Valley Nursery, we sell a vast array of desert-friendly trees, including the Chilean mesquite, museum Palo Verde, vitex, and ironwood trees, among others. Customers in Nevada, Texas, Arizona, and parts of California can explore our collection of desert trees.