Brussels Quaratine Maples and Pines

I look at it like this, Brussel will sell something like 50-60 thousand shitty starter trees for things like Mother's Day either direct or through FTD, 800Flowers, etc.. The business end of the nursery allows him to do what he enjoys, which is grow and import some good stuff. He seems to really have it down, because their loss rates appear to be pretty damn low. I go over there and walk around over lunch once a month or so and as far as the quarantine ones go the dedicated greenhouse is small and when it's opened up for ventilation you can see everything very well. But like a couple of you said, some of the JBP already aren't looking so good and there are were a couple of maples that didn't look good awhile back. Interesting subject.

Don Blackmond said:

I think Adair's greenhouse figure is very low. Probably more like $150-$200k. But, its also a fixed cost.
You also need to account for the cost of the buying trip. These trees don't just magically appear. Business is done in person and each tree is picked out.
You would need to have a good chance to at least double your money in order to even consider assuming that risk.
These trees come bare root. That means 0.0% of soil. You can't fudge because the entire shipment will be rejected if a single tree is not barren of soil. With this volume and these $$$ numbers you can't mess around. Trees like to have soil, and some don't respond well when deprived of soil for days or weeks. Maples do better than JWP so success rates are better on maples than JWP. You still suffer losses. You'll notice many of these trees are well branched. The more branches the more likely you will lose branches. There is a complicated process that goes on under the soil to support all those branches. But there's no soil. JWP are like that tree in the harry Potter movie; thriving and beautiful one moment and then next moment, spontaneous defoliation....
Huge risk involved.

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Some of Brussel's green houses are huge! The quarantine one, as somebody said, is a smaller one. But, yeah, I probably underestimated to cost. Plus, he can use it repeatedly.

I honestly don't know if he has to wait two years before he can put anything else in, or not. Seems like if he wanted to do something like this every year, he'd need two. Buy a shipment this year, clear it out at end of year 2, just before a new shipment comes in at the beginning of Year 3. Meanwhile, at the end of Year 1, buy a fresh shipment in a second greenhouse to hold until the end of year 3.

You can only do this, ship trees, when they're dormant since they have to be bare rooted.

Oh, and @Don Blackmond, these are Black Pines, not White. The maples and JBP had been banned from importation. This is a trial to see if it works. So, I'm sure it's getting extra scrutiny by DOA. (Or whoever regulates these things.)

Really, I hope it works out for him, and a standardized procedure gets developed.

quietobserver said:

I look at it like this, Brussel will sell something like 50-60 thousand shitty starter trees for things like Mother's Day either direct or through FTD, 800Flowers, etc.. The business end of the nursery allows him to do what he enjoys, which is grow and import some good stuff. He seems to really have it down, because their loss rates appear to be pretty damn low. I go over there and walk around over lunch once a month or so and as far as the quarantine ones go the dedicated greenhouse is small and when it's opened up for ventilation you can see everything very well. But like a couple of you said, some of the JBP already aren't looking so good and there are were a couple of maples that didn't look good awhile back. Interesting subject.

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That's what I don't understand: "Opened up for ventilation..." So... Just what does the quarantine do if the greenhouse is opened up? Wouldn't mold, and fungus spores, etc then be airborne? Is it insects? Couldn't they escape when it's opened up if there were any?

Quarantine greenhouses are screened and there are regs for the screens.
I'm comfortable identifying the difference between a white and a black pine Adair. Brussell does not limit himself to blacks.

Don Blackmond said:

Quarantine greenhouses are screened and there are regs for the screens.
I'm comfortable identifying the difference between a white and a black pine Adair. Brussell does not limit himself to blacks.

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The new shipment was Blacks, Japanese maples, and Tridents. They had been banned entirely.

Prior to this latest trial, only JWP and azalea could be imported.

In the past, Blacks were allowed, but then they were banned. Now, they're trying them again. The rules on this stuff changes frequently.

Ok, screens can contain the insects. Is that what they're worried about? Not the plant diseases that might be carried by spores?

There are some very nice trees in there. Some I wouldnt mind having on my bench. Alas, they are a bit out of my price range.
Maybe when I retire Ill buy myself something like these as a retirement gift to myself.

Adair M said:

The new shipment was Blacks, Japanese maples, and Tridents. They had been banned entirely.

Prior to this latest trial, only JWP and azalea could be imported.

In the past, Blacks were allowed, but then they were banned. Now, they're trying them again. The rules on this stuff changes frequently.

Ok, screens can contain the insects. Is that what they're worried about? Not the plant diseases that might be carried by spores?

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What's your point?

Don Blackmond said:

What's your point?

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Sorry, your post, #19, you said "JWP" several times. I didn't know if you were aware this shipment was JBP. Because recently all he's been able to import was JWP.

Not a big deal. I just couldn't figure out why you were talking about JWP...

So, nevermind!

Underdog said:

Maybe money does grow on trees? How would I feel when the neighbor's cat knocked one of these over? Happened twice so far...

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Canine

Adair M said:

Sorry, your post, #19, you said "JWP" several times. I didn't know if you were aware this shipment was JBP. Because recently all he's been able to import was JWP.

Not a big deal. I just couldn't figure out why you were talking about JWP...

So, nevermind!

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The post was discussing importation of trees and why they are priced the way they are priced. Brussell imports JWP among many other species of trees. I mentioned JWP as an example because they are sensitive to the process and its a high risk. It seemed pretty straightforward to me.

Redwood Ryan said:

Why can't they do this for Ficus

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(it only rings good quoting this.)

Why can't we do this with our own local species?


Plant dem seeds....
Grow them trunks.

To everyone out there digging up stuff that grows where you can smell it from your house...
Keep doing it....
The Chinese keep bonsai in pots 6ft across. Trees you would need ladders to prune too!

Yes it can be a bonsai. Doesn't matter how big the leaves are.
Just grow it that big.

Doesn't matter if the roots are no good.
Layer it.

Doesn't matter if it dies.
One won't.

I'd rather see that than see pictures of trees that always look the same....

I'd rather see that than anything that comes in an electric blue pot, or with a hope rock, or with spray painted moss.

I'd rather see that than struggle with a Japanese tree that they chose to use because it is good for their climate.
I guess it's like the rest of the imported shit we buy! It doesn't last!
(note we make Bullshit now too, I think it's "trendy")(oh no....people get rich off you this way)

I wonder how many people look at the trees around them.
They are beautiful.
Plentiful.

And only need someone to grow them.
Or hack the shit out of them.

But you k ow what I mean.

I think I'm done.

Sorce

Adair M said:

That's what I don't understand: "Opened up for ventilation..." So... Just what does the quarantine do if the greenhouse is opened up? Wouldn't mold, and fungus spores, etc then be airborne? Is it insects? Couldn't they escape when it's opened up if there were any?

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Valid points and observation. Their ability to vent the quarantine house in the manner they do would effectively defeat the purpose of "quarantine" i would think...hell for what it's worth a pest could 'sneak' out and hitch a ride with me to my trees. I have,in fact, observed some strange looking insects at Mr. Martin's premise so you bring up some valid points. BUT, perhaps the impound lot has gone southern border, aka free-for-all..

quietobserver said:

Valid points and observation. Their ability to vent the quarantine house in the manner they do would effectively defeat the purpose of "quarantine" i would think...hell for what it's worth a pest could 'sneak' out and hitch a ride with me to my trees. I have,in fact, observed some strange looking insects at Mr. Martin's premise so you bring up some valid points. BUT, perhaps the impound lot has gone southern border, aka free-for-all..

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Too much government...

In theory, the once they've been barerooted and sprayed, the trees arrive pest/fungus free. The period of quarantine is to ensure no residual issues crop up. They are inspected and the entire batch is incinerated if even a issue is discovered. There are strict rules for processing trees for entry as well as handling and environment while in quarantine. The rules are not perfect but they are designed to reduce risk (of spreading/introducing a contaminant) to an acceptable level. In the meantime, there is a free-flow of pests and diseases by way of an infinite number of other, unregulated or unscrutinized hosts.

Brian Van Fleet said:

Too much government...

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If they didn't find things to regulate the bureacracy/kingdom might shrink.....and they'd NEVER willingly allow that.

If we quarantine plants why not people!
They carry way more nasty things with them.

Have any of you reserved a JBP from the quarantine list? Any concerns about the process?
Thanks for your thoughts. Lynn

Lynn E said:

Have any of you reserved a JBP from the quarantine list? Any concerns about the process?
Thanks for your thoughts. Lynn

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Lynn, I have not purchased one of the trees. But, as to the "concerns".... As I understand it, you pay for the tree now. Take delivery in two years when the quarantine is released. If the tree is dead, you get your money back. I don't know what happens if, for example, a couple branches die, but the rest of the tree recovers.

This is about the only way to get a tree imported legally.

Adair M said:

This is about the only way to get a tree imported legally.

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Smiling as I read this.

Lynn E said:

Smiling as I read this.

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???