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I moved to a different state a few years back and was unable to bring the many trees and shrubs I had purchased from Bear Creek along with me. While reminiscing I got the idea to search out a source for my favorite Filbert Big Red. Alas only Bear Creek seems to have sold it. If anyone has one in their yard or knows someone who has one, I would be willing to pay for June cuttings to try to root if that is all that is available. I really miss my tree. I have a "Bill's Hybrid Trazel", but it does not have the nut quality of Big Red. If I get a chance some day, I may go in search of Bear Creek to see what became of it for myself. It was the best for nut lovers.
Since I couldn't afford many trees at the price of grafted trees, I learned to do my own grafting and Bear Creek helpfully sold me the rootstocks and scion wood.
On Jan 18, 2004, autremike Ludlow, MA (Zone 5b) wrote:
I miss Bear Creek Nursery.
They helped me, a once poor young gardener, experiment with many neat plants. Bear Creek opened up many possibilities - I too enjoy Lowland Raspbery apples - from a tree that I made by grafting. A gardener whose eyes are wider than their wallet find ways to fill their yards with foliage. Bear creek made much of this possible.
I find that all is not lost. While no company exactly compares to bear creek, I have found the following to be good companies. If you add them up they are still not Bear Creek...
Fedco Trees - I have purchased trees and rootstocks from this company. Fruit trees are reasonably priced - Around $16 and are of good quality. They also offer Scions. They also offer various other fruits, nuts, and ornamentals.
Oikos Tree Crops - Satisfies a need for some unusual plants and trees. Good prices, good selection.
One Green World - I have ordered from them a couple of times. They have rootstocks, and many unusual plants. Prices are a bit high, but so is the quality.
If you know of any other companies that can fill my void, please everyone know.
I loved this catalogue -- their offerings, their presentation . . . everything about their operation. The apple and pear benchgrafts I ordered a number of years ago are now all blooming and bearing. This year I started wishing I had purchased at least 10 more, so I looked them up again to see about ordering. I am VERY sorry to hear they are out of business. I just did a search on the internet, and indeed, as another reviewer stated, their is no one else out there offering what Bear Creek offered. Last year we had the sweetest apples off of a 'Lowland Raspberry' apple from Bear Creek. I have never seen that variety anywhere else. Who else offers a 'King David' apple tree? If you ever do find one, it would probably be at least twice the cost of those from Bear Creek. My trees were planted in Pennsylvania, and Bear Creek was in Washington state, so I can tell you, the trees were packed well, and ALL survived.
If the owners ever restart, or new owners decide to resurrect this company, PLEASE let the fans know! You had vision, heart, and caring.
I took a chance and ordered some expensive interstem rootstock from Bear Creek for a grafting class. THE rootstock exceeded my expectations. It was the best rootstock that I have received from any nursery that I have ordered from for the grafting classes that I have taught. Last spring I ordered Butternut Trees an out of stock item that would not be available until 2001. The trees were prepaid, so I just wait to see what the order will be like. The tree order was placed last year, hoping I could get an early shipment because of the quality of the previous rootstock order.
I also was very pleased by my past dealings with Bear Creek. A unique and great assortment and wonderful plants, all at least comparable and usually better than those from competitors and at much better prices.
I purchased stock from Bear Creek a few years back and was truly impressed by their selection, pricing and packaging. I didn't buy from them the following year so was dropped from their mailing list - and I've been looking for them again ever since!
I have ordered from Bear Creek Nursery for the last 3 years. They have always sent me stock of the highest quality. Their rootstocks are very sturdy and hardy. Their service has been impeccable. They are one place a person can always count on getting good quality stock from.
On Mar 1, 1999, belalubkin Mountain View, CA wrote:
I recently ordered 17 benchgrafted apples from Bear Creek Nursery. The average cost was about $7.50 per tree, including shipping. (Would have been less, but I put half the order on expensive interstem rootstocks.) Bear Creek is the only place I found which sells benchgrafts. These are totally customized trees where they graft-to-order any of their hundreds of scion varieties onto any of about a dozen rootstocks. All for about 1/3 the price of a standard stock tree from one of the more commercialized vendors. What you get is a rootstock + topwork which was grafted 2-3 weeks before it arrives in your mailbox -- a tiny baby tree. You have to do more work to keep it alive and healthy, and it may take an extra year to bear. On the other hand, the trees grow up in *your* climate and soil, and may adapt better. Plus you get to choose the exact varieties of both rootstock and topwood. (I got 17 different varieties, grafted onto three different rootstocks that seemed appropriate to our soil, climate, and the final sizes I wanted each tree to have. I'd actually ordered 18, but they ran out of one scionwood -- not surprising considering how late in the season I ordered.) They answered several panicky emailed questions quickly. The trees have been in my nursery bed for about a week now, and all are showing signs of quickening topwood. Meanwhile, the rootstocks are keeping me busy rubbing off their vigorous buds -- very healthy indeed!I've never seen a more carefully packaged nursery shipment; a real work of art. It's obvious that these people really *care* about what they're doing. Two branches up -- way up!
I ordered from Bear Creek Nursery last year and was very pleased. They are mostly a fruit and nut tree nursery but also have some unusual items at great prices. I just placed another order today. Last year I bought a Korean maple that is similar but hardier Z4, than Japanese maples. I also ordered 10 Rosa glauca (red leaf rose) for $16.00.and they all grew-one to 4ft. Thumbs up.
I have had great luck with Bear Creek Nursery. I didn't order anything from them this year because I'm running out of room but in years past their fruit trees were very nice. And even though their shrubs were a little small, the very reasonable price made it possible to buy several. Last summer when the cows who live next door got out and "pruned" the tops of my cherry trees, I frantically called to see if they would ever be right again. I talked to a very helpful person who told me they would be fine and to just trim them up.
The Bear Creek plants were less expensive, took off better and are as large or larger than the Heirloom plants (I purchased from another company) despite being a year younger.
Ordered from Bear Creek for the three years we lived in New Mexico. Very harsh climate, dry, hot/cold extremes, lots of high winds, etc. All plants arrived in great shape. We never lost any, except to animals eating the roots (not Bear Creeks fault). Even in our severely alkaline soils all plants survived the full three years and grew very well considering the climate. I will continue to use them as a regular source when we buy our new property in Tennessee.
I ordered roses and berry plants from Bear Creek Nursery this year. They have a wonderful selection and super prices. I was very impressed with the condition the plants arrived at my home. Everything is growing well. My roses are beautiful!
I have placed numerous orders with Bear Creek and I am always satisfied. The selection is great, especially for heirloom apples (over 200 varieties) - for which they also offer propagation wood for home grafting. All my trees have 5 varieties of apples thanks to Bear Creek! They even include grafting instructions in the catalog. They have all manner of berry and also offer "conservation grade' trees (timber or firewood), big bundles for not much money.
I have dealt with Bear Creek Nursery over the last 7 years, ordering trees and plants from them. I have found them to be reliable, consistent in offering good quality stock. If they don't have an item, you get a refund. A small company but good. I know them only thru mail ordering materials.
