At Urban Forest Nursery, we grow root-ready trees with quality and consistency in mind. From careful root development to rigorous health standards, our production methods ensure strong, resilient trees that perform reliably in urban landscapes.
Nursery Production: How We Grow Strong, Landscape-Ready Trees
Behind every tree in our inventory is a multi-year growing process that prioritizes root health, branch structure, and consistency. At Urban Forest Nursery, our Nursery Production system is built on practices that support long-term performance in the landscape — not just appearance at the time of sale.
Our Production Philosophy
We focus on four key principles:
- Grow strong, not fast – prioritizing structural stability and natural branching.
- Build a healthy, non-circling root system – the foundation of every great tree.
- Use pruning and training strategically – guiding trees into predictable, uniform forms.
- Reduce transplant stress – so trees perform better once planted.
These priorities shape every step in our growing process.
How We Grow Our Trees
1. Root-Focused Establishment
From the moment we plant a liner, we prioritize roots — pruning when needed and using containers that promote proper root architecture.
2. Grow Bag Production
All of our trees are grown in High Caliper Root Control Fabric Bags, which eliminate circling and help trees transplant with remarkable success.
3. Structural Pruning
We perform regular, targeted pruning to maintain a strong central leader, balanced branching, and long-term structural soundness.
4. Staking Systems
We use minimal, strategic staking that encourages trees to develop natural strength rather than rely on continuous support.
5. Field Spacing for Quality Growth
Trees are spaced to minimize competition and maximize trunk taper, canopy balance, and root spread.
The Result: Consistency and Quality
Our production methods yield trees that:
• Have excellent structural form
• Are ready for immediate planting
• Experience very little transplant shock
• Establish quickly
• Require less corrective pruning after installation
Landscape professionals repeatedly tell us that our trees “hit the ground running” because of the care put into them during production.
Learn More About the Science Behind Our Growing Methods
For customers who want a deeper look, our Nursery Production, Grow Bags, and Root Ready Trees sections offer detailed information and photos showing exactly how we grow trees from start to finish.