Direct Ship Evergreens
When, Why, & How
Direct Ship can help contractors save time, reduce handling, and lower overall costs when ordering larger quantities of evergreens. In this blog, we break down when Direct Ship makes sense, how evergreen digging seasons affect timing, why planning ahead matters, and what to consider beyond the price of the trees. We also cover how Great Lakes works with growers to find the right material and helps customers determine whether Direct Ship or yard inventory is the best fit for their project.
If you’re planning a project with a large number of evergreens, Direct Ship can be a great way to save on handling, time, and overall cost. But is it the right fit for every project? Not necessarily.
So, how do you know when it makes sense?
What Is Direct Ship?
Direct Ship simply means the trees go straight from the grower to your nursery or job site instead of coming through one of our yards first.That means fewer stops, less handling, and less time and labor spent moving trees around. For larger orders, those savings can really add up.
The BIGGEST FACTORS in determining if Direct Ship is right for you:
Quantity and Timing
The first thing we look at is how much you need. Direct Ship typically makes the most sense when you're filling a significant portion of a truckload. Smaller orders may not provide enough savings to offset freight and delivery costs.The other big piece is when you need the trees.
Evergreens have specific digging windows. Generally, they can be dug from around mid-March through Memorial Day, then again from late August or September through early October. The exact timing depends on the grower and location.
That timing matters because if your project isn't ready when the trees are available, someone has to hold and care for them. Sometimes that's you, and sometimes it makes more sense for us to bring them into our yard and take care of that part for you.
Think About the Whole Cost
It's easy to look at a Direct Ship quote and focus on the price of the tree. But there's more to consider.What does it cost you to:
- Hold and care for the trees?
- Load and unload them?
- Move them around your yard?
- Get them ready for the job?
- Send your crew to pick them up and deliver them?
One contractor we work with found that having trees delivered directly to the job allowed their crew to get an entire load planted in one day instead of needing a second day to finish.
It's not always about getting the lowest price on the tree. It's about finding the best overall solution for the project.
Plan Ahead
Availability is another big reason to start the conversation early.Larger evergreens can still be harder to find, and growers begin allocating their available trees ahead of the digging season. The earlier we know what you're looking for, the more time we have to work with our grower partners and find the right trees for your project.
When you send us a list, include the species, sizes, quantities, bid due date, and projected installation date. The more we know, the better we can help match your project with the right availability, pricing, grower, and timing.
And if you're not sure whether Direct Ship is the right choice, that's exactly what we're here for. Every project is different, and sometimes Direct Ship makes sense while other times our yard inventory is the better option.
Let's look at it together and figure out what works best for you and the job.
Learn More About Direct Ship
