Garden Gate Blog, All about trees.

As the holiday season approaches, we at Garden Gate Nursery take a moment to reflect on the blessings and partnerships that have enriched our journey. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for being an integral part of our wholesale family.

The Eastern Redbud, with its vibrant burst of color in early spring, is a beloved tree that captures the hearts of all who encounter it. In this blog, we'll delve into the fascinating world of the Eastern Redbud, examining its distinctive features, how to grow and care for it, and its significance in both horticulture and ecology.

The Kindred Spirit® Hybrid Oak, scientifically known as Quercus x warei 'Nadler,' is a unique and captivating oak hybrid that has captured the hearts of tree enthusiasts and conservationists alike.

The Espresso™ Kentucky Coffee Tree, scientifically known as Gymnocladus dioicus 'Espresso,' is a captivating and distinctive tree variety that has gained popularity among both homeowners and tree enthusiasts.

This time of year, we’re drinking pumpkin spice lattes, visiting fall festivals, and enjoying the beauty God created in the changing seasons. Here at the nursery in Pasco Washington, things are changing quickly, and we love the freshness of fall. In today’s post, I wanted to share what has changed color so far and share some pictures I took while walking through the trees at Garden Gate in Tri-Cities Washington.

As autumn arrives, the landscape undergoes a breathtaking transformation. Leaves change their hues, and the air becomes crisp and refreshing. Amidst this seasonal shift, the Autumn Brilliance Apple Serviceberry (Amelanchier x grandiflora 'Autumn Brilliance') emerges as a true gem in the world of ornamental trees and shrubs.

When it comes to adding a touch of elegance and vibrant color to your garden or landscape, the Canada Red Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana 'Schubert') is an excellent choice.

When it comes to iconic trees of the American West, the Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) stands tall, both literally and metaphorically. Known for its towering stature and distinctive bark, this tree species holds a special place in the hearts of those who appreciate the beauty and resilience of nature.

When it comes to landscaping and adding natural beauty to your garden, few plants can compare to the Thuja plicata x standishii 'Virginian' PPAF Virginian Arborvitae. This remarkable evergreen, known for its distinctive characteristics and striking appearance, is a favorite among horticulturists and homeowners alike.

As you may or may not know, Garden Gate Nursery is a wholesale nursery, which means we primarily grow and sell trees for retail garden centers, landscapers and cities. We are not normally open to homeowners, but twice a year, we host an "Open to the Public" event, where homeowners and anyone who wants can come and pick out trees straight from the farm anytime during the event.

Maintaining the health and beauty of your trees in the Tri-Cities area is essential, and understanding their unique seasonal needs is a key part of effective tree care. Our climate, with hot summers and cold winters, presents various challenges.

When it comes to enhancing your landscape with trees, making the right choice between container trees, bareroot trees, and ball and burlap trees is crucial. Each option has its merits, but in this blog post, we'll delve into the benefits of container trees and why they might be the ideal choice for your landscaping needs.

When it comes to landscaping and gardening, there's nothing quite like the beauty of native plants. They not only offer natural charm but also provide essential benefits for local wildlife. One such native plant that's gaining popularity among garden enthusiasts is the Amelanchier laevis 'JFS-Arb' PP 15304 Spring Flurry® Serviceberry.

See our latest availability and learn about this month's featured tree: the Ruby Sunset Maple.

There are several reasons why we think fall is a great time of year to plant trees, and in this article we go into some of our reasons. Just to be clear, in this article we are mostly writing about container trees, not B&B or bare-root trees.

In the heart of our bustling cities, a natural wonder stands as a testament to the harmonious marriage of urban living and natural beauty.

Among these natural wonders stands the Greenspire Linden tree (Tilia cordata 'Greenspire'), a remarkable species known for its graceful appearance, fragrant blossoms, and numerous advantages.

This year, we'll be at the Farwest Show in Portland Oregon, and we'd love to have you join us.

We are thrilled to announce the much-awaited grand opening of the Garden Gate Nursery Online store!

We hope you've had a great summer so far!‍ Here is our latest availability. Trees are growing fast this time of year, so if you don't see exactly what you're looking for, let us know and we'll be happy to look and see if we have what you need.

If your landscape will have a high or low pH, then choosing varieties of plants more adaptable to the pH is probably the easiest way to go although landscapes with toxic levels of pH will need treatment.(<4, >9)

We hope you are having a great holiday season! We wanted to let you know that Garden Gate is closed for pickup and deliveries due to winter weather. We won't be pulling orders or shipping trees until mid-January- weather permitting.

After many loads of trees from Garden Gate in the past year, we are very grateful to our loyal customers. We're also thankful to our dedicated staff, who work hard to maintain consistent plant quality for your many jobs.

Here you can download our current availability, pulled yesterday. I hope you and your plants are surviving the heat. We want to let you know about a great product for plants that can help prevent shock during this time of year.

One of the most important steps of planting a container tree is cutting the outer layer of circling roots. This is easy to miss, and unfortunately, trees suffer the consequences.

We hope you have had a great spring so far. This year, we want to let you know that we won't be having an "open to the public event", but instead we have created a calendar with times where you can come out to the nursery to find trees.

In the Springtime in the Tri-Cities Washington area, bees will be buzzing before many trees have started to bloom. If you take a closer look at maple trees, many of them will be pushing small flowers that are quite beautiful, giving off their sustaining pollen to the bees.

Merry Christmas. We are very thankful for your business and the privilege to share our trees on your projects. Our team at Garden Gate works hard to water, fertilize, and shape a tree that will stand the test of time in the urban environments that most of them are destined to grow in.

Cutting tree roots is one of the most important steps in the planting process for potted trees. Read on to find out more about cutting roots to promote healthy growth for potted trees.

Girdling root systems can cause long term tree damage, dieback, and eventually tree death. Trees with weakened root systems due to girdling roots often go undiagnosed until it is too late. Issues that inevitably arise as a result of girdling roots cannot be overcome without addressing the problems under the surface.

Washington state is home to some of the most exceptional and majestic native plants and animals. Nature-lovers who seek to support local flora and fauna have long recognized that urbanized areas have impacted the availability of wild landscapes where native wildlife can survive.

High-quality landscaping trees can add great value to the golf course, including spectacular color and texture. Practical applications also include much-needed windbreaks, shade, and refinement to challenges on the course. 

We have had a WONDERFUL Spring. Thank you ALL who have made appointments to come out to the farm, purchased on our retail store, and kept up to date with us on our newsletter. We are SO grateful for your business and support.

Trees should be planted with the root flare, or where the trunk starts to develop roots, level or 1-2 inches above the level of the soil.

A dazzling display of vibrant foliage, robust spring color and dynamic form are just a few of the features that make Dogwood trees exceptional for landscaping.

In an effort to protect our valuable employees and the customers we love doing business with, we have made the decision to temporarily stop accepting in-person appointments for any of our customers.

For the best and brightest spring shows, it is important to support healthy growth by fertilizing landscaping trees effectively. Good fertilization practices help give plants nutrients during the growing season, and productively support vigorous growth throughout the life of the tree.

The diversity of landscaping trees provides the pleasure of a myriad of selections to choose from. Here are 7 stunning and noteworthy landscaping trees, ideal for small to medium spaces (and all 20-25 feet tall!)

The bright morning sun winks slowly, glinting in the morning dew. Tufts of delicately frilled petals adorning gracefully weeping branches begin to emerge. Emboldened by the promise of a new day, the buds burst open, revealing the long-anticipated performance of the Double Weeping Cherry Tree. 

Prunus trees are well known for their gorgeous flowers and foliage, excellent shape and growth habit, and an overall calming aesthetic. Some of the most delightful displays of seasonal flowers are found within the plum family. 

Small spaces can often present challenges when it comes to finding the right tree. However, there are still many wonderful options to discover, so here are 10 beautiful and compact landscaping trees, ideal for small spaces (and all under 15 ft tall!) 

Native trees are well adapted to local climates, to support native ecosystems and wildlife. With the vast and beautiful topography that Washington State has to offer, landscaping with native trees is a wonderful way to reconnect with nature. Some may wonder, should I landscape with trees native to Washington State?

Happy New Year from Garden Gate! Here is our current plant and tree availability ready to download in excel.

Sturdy, resilient evergreen trees make excellent privacy screens and wind breaks, as they are long lived, tolerate cold climates, and maintain attractive foliage all year. The distinguishing characteristics of these evergreen trees can be found in needle and cone shape, bark characteristics, and shedding habits. 

Today is our last day of work at the nursery for the team. We will still be in the office and putting packages and orders together for next year, but we will not be doing anymore deliveries or pulling trees through Mid January.

Early red fall color blushes warmly against the autumn backdrop, as dense foliage ruffles gently in the afternoon sun. Maintaining excellent shape throughout maturity, with effortless color and beautiful foliage throughout the year, the Autumn Radiance Maple has delightful charm. 

Well-adapted to tolerate warmer climates, enjoy intense bright red fall color with the Flashfire Maple Tree. Upright growth habit with oval to slightly pyramidal shape, this tree is an excellent selection for use as an accent, shade, or boarder tree. 

A fast growing maple tree with brilliant fall color, the Autumn Fantasy Maple is an elegant jewel. With tolerance to various soil conditions combined and climactic conditions, this maple gleams with beautiful foliage and versatility.

As seasons fold under the heavy cold, the Urban Sunset Maple tree stands stoic, and regal. Compact size, cold weather hardiness, and beautiful deep red fall color make the Urban Sunset Maple Tree a dream come true.

If you’re looking to upgrade your backyard garden or patio, consider the addition of wildlife-friendly water features. A small or large wildlife-friendly water feature will attract animals that will keep your backyard landscape flourishing.

Beautiful dark green summer foliage and long lasting bright red color from the Somerset Red Maple come autumn is always a treat. Enjoy a full and dense canopy, one of the best features of this red maple tree. A pleasingly uniform, symmetrical and upright growth with oval form at maturity appears graceful and poised. 

Fiery red fall color paired with excellent cold tolerance, the beautiful Red Rocket Maple tree is reaching for the stars. A medium sized red maple tree with perky upright growth habit is just the maple tree to illuminate any fall landscape.

As a beautiful accent specimen, with fragrant white flowers, colorful red fruit, and fabulous foliage, the Starlite Crabapple is a diamond in the rough. When seeking a cold hardy and disease tolerant option, reach for the stars and upgrade from the ‘Spring Snow’ crabapple to the ‘Starlite’ crabapple.

Fast growing, adaptable, and absolutely gorgeous fall color, the Autumn Blaze Maple tree is here to warm your heart. Admire the elegant form of a durable and eye-catching red maple.

There are a few trees we absolutely love, and one that made it to the top of our list this year again is the Liriodendron tulipifera ‘JFS-Oz’ Emerald City® Tulip Tree. In this article, you will find out what sets this tree apart from the rest.

There are a few shade trees that stand out among the crowd. Read our list of best shade trees and learn why we think they are the best shade trees available on the market. Don't see your favorite? Add it in the comments and share why, we may add it to our list!

Maple Trees are wonderfully diverse, well recognized for breathtaking foliage and wide range in color, shape, size, and growth habit. We are excited to introduce a series of blogs to highlight these amazing trees.

With a curtsey and twirl, a beautiful burgundy-foliage elm dances down the street with flair, donning delightful fall color. Highly disease resistant, compact size, and colorful foliage are just a few ways the Frontier Elm lights up the whole sky.

Autumn beckons for change as humans layer up for warmth, birds quell their singing, and trees don generous flamboyant fall colors. Not to be outdone, the Redpointe® Maple graces the scene, like a bright flame juxtaposed against the greying skyline.

Petite structure, low maintenance, and unique shape are all reasons why the Little Gem Norway Spruce is the perfect ball of joy. Cold hardness and slow growth make it an excellent addition to landscape and rock gardens.

Dreamy and delicate flowers, compact size and wonderful fall color make the Pink Flair Cherry an Enchanting Delight. Throughout the seasons, elegant shape and disposition continue to impress keen onlookers, year after year.

Ornate natural bark, glossy leaves, and cheerful fall color make this tree the perfect shade tree to brighten up, and bring a bit of shade to any landscape.

The aptly named ‘Royal Red’ maintains a commanding presence throughout the seasons with beautiful colored leaves, magnificent height, and hearty tolerance to variable environmental conditions.

Slender, upright growth habit, sturdy cold tolerance, and marvelous yellow fall colors are just a few reasons to add a burst of sunshine with the Dakota Pinnacle Birch. Graceful, curling bark, revealed in a delicate cream color adds a stunning interest feature.

The Showtime Crabapple is here to dazzle with bright, beautiful fuchsia blooms and colorful foliage. Leaves and flowers steal the show, bolstering accolades with low maintenance needs and excellent cold hardy-ness.

Gorgeous color, perennial growth, low maintenance requirements, and consistent, natural expression are only a few reasons to grow the Oregon Green.

With vibrant pink spring flowers, sophisticated mahogany foliage, a refined and broadly rounded shape, everything about this tree exhibits exceptional quality.

There are three main reasons why a tree could die after leaving the nursery. Weed-eaters, trees planted too deep, or if the trees get the wrong amount of water. Watch this video and ensure you don't lose your tree after you've purchased from Garden Gate Nursery.

Even if a tree is improperly planted, it can survive for sometimes years, but then suddenly die after becoming a beautiful addition to a home. Planting correctly can impact whether a tree will live for years to come. 

Exquisite lavender flowers adorn wispy branches of the weeping Lavender Twist Redbud tree. Perfectly compact, graceful, and bound to steal your heart, this tree sparks love at first sight.

Flourishing purple color of the Crimson Sunset Maple Tree paired with a classically upright, rounded crown makes this maple tree the perfect fall foliage tree.

A dusty, barren landscape with no fresh water or shade is where the roughly 500 people of the islet of Kokota called home. For hundreds of years, the islanders lived off the land, harvesting trees and natural resources in order to survive, until the island was all but depleted.

We love spending time at our Oregon home, as we call it, and leaving our home open for visitors during much of the year when we’re not there. It is a pleasure to enjoy the quiet mornings and to light a fire in the fireplace.

Oak trees are the perfect legacy, as they are long-lived, practical, and provide a stunning aesthetic throughout any season. Their utility, hospitality in supporting wildlife, and striking magnificence are all great reasons to plant an oak tree today.

Maples adorn the autumn season with a spectacular radiance and color display. As the temperature begins to drop, lovely foliage color changes act as a reliable indicator that the holiday season is around the corner. Here are five maple trees that we love:

“Gratitude doesn’t change the scenery. It merely washes clean the glass you look through so you can clearly see the colors” (Richelle Goodrich). With fall here bringing its magnificent change of leaf color, it is a good time to really stop, reflect and express our gratitude.

The June Snow™ Dogwood tree is an incredible ornamental variety that quickly made it to our list of favorite trees this year when we started growing it for the first time. From a fast growth rate to its flowers, this tree is quite different than its Dogwood family members.

Unfortunately, nursery's don't have a spell. We don't have anything special that keeps our trees more alive than they can be in a landscape setting. Although that is a bummer for us, it is a good thing for you. That means that after planting your trees, you can be sure to have healthy, happy trees in your yard!

While it may be enticing to choose a lower quality tree with a cheaper price tag, consider the money you save in the long run from a potentially early replacement.

Mark informed me the trees were just watered by the sprinklers that water the grass. I am confident that is all that is needed for most trees.

We watched these trees get planted as little 1 to 1 1/4 inch caliper trees in the Lowes parking lot in Pasco, Washington about 10 years ago. They have struggled for years. Every tree is dying due to damage to the trunk.

During our Spring, Open to the Public event, we had a video team come out and capture a little of what we do here on the nursery. Through the next couple months, we will be sharing the videos from that week. Today, we are sharing the first of the nursery.

Adding landscape plants to your yard is a great way to brighten up your home, but keeping your plants healthy can sometimes be a challenge.

Enhancing your outdoor space with trees is an excellent way to add value to your home, and upgrade your living environment.

The secret is out, Paul's Scarlet Hawthorn is this year's darling. Otherwise known as Crataegus laevigata 'Pauls Scarlet', our new favorite tree delivers rosy blooms and seasonally adorable ornamental fruit. Dark pink blossoms resembling tiny roses burst in a dazzling display throughout the spring.