Trees Available Spring of 2002

		Red Fern Farm
		*A Nursery of Trees and Ideas…*
Page Last Updated: March 20, 2008
	2008 Catalog

Trees Available 2008

We are taking deposits to reserve trees for 2008

We offer high quality, container grown and bare-rooted seedlings. The parent trees of all our seedlings produce reliable, high quality crops here in Iowa, or at a similar location. Most of our trees are well adapted to zones 5 - 7. We have glowing reports of rapid, vigorous growth with our trees in such sunny places as central Oklahoma and Virginia.

In most cases we have grown these trees from seed on our farm. They are not coddled, greenhouse plants. They are ready to be planted in your ground as soon as you receive them.

You may pick up your seedlings still in their containers at our farm. (Where is Red Fern Farm?) We will have bare-rooted chestnut and pawpaw seedlings for shipping in Spring of 2008.

Nut Trees

Chinese Chestnut (Castanea mollisima)

Chestnuts tend to be heavy annual bearers (1,000 - 4,000 lbs per acre). The nuts are in high demand and retail for at least $3 - $6 per pound, even more for larger sized nuts. Called “the corn that grows on trees”, chestnuts are unique in that they resemble a grain in nutrition. The tasty nuts are low in fat, high in complex carbohydrates, and have a high quality protein. It is said ten trees could feed a whole family.

Identity-preserved Seedlings These seedlings are labeled with the name of the seed parent variety. These are a for people who intend to graft seedlings back to that variety.

Mixed Parentage Seedlings These are seedlings of varieties producing good crops of large or extra large nuts, but are mixed together and unlabeled. These trees are for people with not intention of grafting the trees later.

Seed Parent Sources: Chinese: ‘Qing’, ‘Peach’, ‘Gideon’, Orin', and 'Simpson' Chinese Hybrids: ‘Luvall’s Monster’, 'Precoce Migoule', 'Yolo Grande' and a number of excellent, locally adapted varieties.

Identity-preserved 1- 2 foot seedlings in 1 gallon pots	$7 each for 1 - 9
	$6.50 for 10 or more
Mixed parentage 1- 2 foot seedlings in 1 gallon pots	$6 each for 1 - 9
	$5.50 for 10 or more
Identify-preserved 1- 2 foot bare-rooted seedlings	$5.50 each for 1 - 9
(Spring only)	$5 each for 10 or more
Mixed parentage 1- 2 foot bare-rooted seedlings	$4.50 each for 1 - 9
(Spring only)	$4 for 10 or more

Hybrid Hazels

(Send your deposit now! They go fast!)

The parents of our strain of hazels have produced massive quantities of high quality nuts. The branches have been bent to the ground by the weight of the nut crop. These young seedlings are decedents of the best selections of a strain of hybrid hazels developed in Minnesota. They will be ready for planting July 1st. They will have a strong root system in 9 inch deep pots for high survival and rapid growth.

8 - 12 inch tall shrubs $3.50 each for 1 - 9

$3.00 each for 10 or more

Fruit Trees

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) Potted or Bare-rooted The pawpaw or “prairie banana” has a 4 - 6 inch long fruit that resembles a green potato, but with a rich banana/pineapple - like flavor. Demand for fruit exceeds supply. It is hard to believe a fruit with such a wonderful tropical-fruit flavor can grow in Iowa. A possible future market for the fruit may include the pharmaceutical industry. A chemical found in unripe fruit has proven to be a powerful anti-carcinogen which can not be feasibly produced in the lab. When small these trees are very fragile and need T.L.C. (including mulch and tree shelter) to get established.

"Improved" Strain - seedlings of grafted trees, pollinized by other grafted trees. Likely to produce high quality fruit. Suited to zones 5 - 7.
6 - 12 inches tall seedlings in one gallon pots $8.00 each


American Persimmon (Disospiros virginiana)
The American Persimmon is native to about the southeast 1/2 of the United States. They are hardy to about –30°F. The trees produce abundant crops of 1” - 2” diameter fruits, but only on female trees. Seedlings can not be sexed until they reach about 4’ to 5’ tall (about 3 to 4 years old). The fruits are among the sweetest in the world, and inspired the scientific name for the tree which means “food for the gods”. We hav seedlings of superior grafted varieties, including 'Yates', and 'SAA Pieper'. 6 - 8 inches tall in 1 gallon pots $5.00 each

Medlar (Mespiles germanica) (Available in September)

Medlars produce a golf ball sized fruit with a flavor and texture like spiced applesauce (when fully ripe). They were popular in the middle ages in Europe and are now making a come back. We have grafted Nottingham available. Suited to zone 5 and south.

1 foot tall trees in one gallon pots $18.00 each

Grafted Asian Pears (Available in September)

Asian pears are usually shaped like apples, crunchy like apples, but with a wonderful pear flavor. They often sell for $1.00 each in grocery stores. Asian pears require cross pollination, so at least two varieties are needed for fruit. These varieties are high quality and productive. They're suited to zones 5—7.

Varieties: Shinko, Nijiseiki, Hosui, Korean Giant.

2 foot tall trees in one gallon pots $18 each

Ordering Information

Sorry, we can't take your order over the Internet or telephone yet. We can't take credit cards so you need to mail us a check or money order to secure your trees. Iowa is now collecting sales tax on trees that produce food. If you are picking up your trees at our farm or having our trees shipped to your home in Iowa, please add 6% sales tax to your order.

Shipping or Pickup

Potted Trees are available April thru October for pickup from our nursery. We need a 25% deposit to reserve trees for you at our farm. Orders are filled on a first come, first serve basis. If we have your trees in stock, and the weather is good for planting, you may pick up your trees immediately. If we are sold out of the trees you want, you will have first call on the young seedlings coming into production When you arrive to collect your trees, the balance will be due. (Where is Red Fern Farm?)

Call to arrange a pickup time so we can be sure to assist you fully in loading the trees and answering any questions you may have.

Shipping for 2008

The only trees we have available for shipping for Spring of 2008 are bare-rooted seedlings.

To place an order:
1. Print and fill out the following order form.
2. Mail completed form with payment to:

Red Fern Farm
13882 I Ave
Wapello, IA 52653
Click Here for our Order Form


Grafted Asian Pears (Available in September)
Asian pears are usually shaped like apples, crunchy like apples, but with a wonderful pear flavor. They often sell for $1.00 each in grocery stores. Asian pears require cross pollination, so at least two varieties are needed for fruit. These varieties are high quality and productive. They're suited to zones 5—7.
Varieties: Shinko, Nijiseiki, Hosui, Korean Giant.
2 foot tall trees in one gallon pots $18 each