About Us
'murraytrees' began as a hobby interest around the mid 90s. Ignited by my role in helping to establish the newly established Tree Canada Foundation, it was a way of finding balance and rejuvenation from an increasingly demanding career in the marketing communications industry. Apart from the natural beauty of trees, my discovery of the critical necessity of healthy trees for the environment and our quality of living turned this initial curiosity into a life's quest.
My first planting consisted of 3,000 conifer seedlings – mainly Balsam and Fraser Fir, White Pine and Colorado Blue Spruce. I diligently attended to the care and shaping of each one. it was enjoyable, relaxing and fed my need to always be "busy" one way or another. From there, I experimented with the importation and growing of non-indigenous species, or what are called “exotics.”
In the following years, deciduous trees were introduced into my growing plantations – primarily Maples in the beginning. Well over two dozen different species of Maples, with distinctive colours and unique shapes, are now situated among the plantations. I continue to add new varieties yearly and, several years ago, decided to develop a choice selection of zone-hardy ornamentals.
With over 20,000 trees and more than 85 different species now in the ground, 'murraytrees' was launched as a highly selective enterprise dedicated to growing and selling healthy trees for the environment. The little advertising we do is primarily by "word of mouth" from satisfied customers. And our point of difference is that trees are never "pre-dug" for sale. Rather, they are chosen by our customers while still in the ground, thus always ensuring a healthy tree. Our customers simply tie a ribbon on the one(s) they want and we then dig, basket and arrange for delivery.
There are many businesses selling trees today with, unfortunately, an extremely limited knowledge of how to ensure their long-term growth and survival. We offer our customers that advice freely and enthusiastically. And we also advise them on the type of tree that will best suit their reason for buying.
By design, 80% of the trees in our plantations will never be removed from the ground and will live for the benefit of future generations. The remaining trees, however, are available for purchase solely on an appointment basis and can be selected from the several tree plantations on the property.
An arboretum of specimen trees is also available to enable novice purchasers to actually “see” what their trees might look like in another 20 years or so. For, as trees grow and mature, they take on different shapes, colours and bark textures.
This website is hopefully self-explanatory. Like my plantations, I am hopeful that the Photo Gallery will continue to grow in the years ahead. The site also contains guidance on how to choose and care for your trees to ensure they outlive both you and your children. And I am receptive to freely providing my counsel and insights on your tree selection and growing challenges. Simply e-mail me with your questions.
While we do sell some trees to the wholesale trade at significantly discounted prices, given our mission and commitment to the environment, individual trees can be purchased for personal landscaping purposes (see Our Trees for a description of most of the species currently available on site).
Jim Murray
Chief Tree Officer