For several decades we have carefully collected acorns from very large trees in the fall, sorted them, cleaned and stored them until it was time to plant them in tree tubes. Every year or two the small trees were up potted into larger and larger fabric pots which build great fiberous root systems without circling roots. Now is a great time to plant your future shade tree. We have a large selection of trees from 3 gallon to 300 gallon.

We have had as much rain as is needed for our community. Now is a great time to get those trees planted while the soil is damp.  

Main Street Trees in Napa has a nice selection of large oaks that were grown here from acorns and are grown in the most nurturing fabric pots for the healtiest roots. Call or email for a tree tour to tag your choices.

Fall planting of trees is on a lot of people's minds.  We had a couple of rains that took away the dusty dry feel of everyone's yards. Lots of people are getting trees tagged to plant asap so the roots have time to get established before summer comes.  Even though it rains in the winter here (we hope) you will still have to keep a good eye on the watering needs of freshly planted trees.  A nice simple drip system will cut down on water and time but still needs to be watched for irrigation snafus. Pictured is a low branching Coast Live Oak.  It is evergreen and keeps leaves on through the winter.  It can give you shade, privacy and wildlife too!  It is very easy to grow and likes a lot of different terrains.

Our great farm hand Stanton is carefully repotting a Coast Live Oak to the next size. Notice that the roots were not circling the root ball. This is a great feature with fabric pots and sets the tree up for a very successful transplant. 

Saving water in California is on everyone's mind, we hope.  Putting in drip irrigation and using lots of water-conserving techniques is no longer an option—it is a necessity.  Good old Ruth Stout's heavy mulching strategies will save much of what would evaporate without it.  Using gray water is now legal in California and just in time!  Our dear planet needs all the green we can plant, for keeping our CO2 levels from going even higher.  Plant trees and perennials whenever possible.  Green plants help the planet.  Shade from trees cools our homes, schools, animals and us.