couple questions about four winds

17 years ago

i've read great things about four winds, but their pre-sales sure isn't great.

there is no phone number on their website, only a customer service email address. the first email took them a week to respond to, and only addressed 1 of my 2 questions.

the second email i sent over a week ago with no response.

anyway, do you know what they charge for shipping? is it per tree, or the same amount up to a few trees, etc. the prices are steep as it is, if shipping is steep too i'll probably go with harris or another one next year.

i'm in philadelphia area, and wanting a mandarin type (gold nugget, satsuma). i'll put plants out in may and back indoors in september. will these varieties be fine with providing fruit? thanks!

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Comments (10)

gardner_dragon
17 years ago
The shipping is per tree and calculated as such.
The 1 year old trees are $11 for shipping per tree.
The 2-3 year old trees are $18 for shipping per tree.
The phone number for FourWinds Growers is (510) 656-2591. I found it listed on Daves Garden Watchdog.

Every time I have contacted them using email they have answered promptly, usually within a few hours but upto 24 hours at the most. They have also never failed to reply.
Andi
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Kristiina DiOrio
17 years ago
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong BUT...Florida citrus is not allowed to be shipped out of state at this time. I don't know where 4 winds is located but Harris is in Florida. Just wanted to let you know before you started shopping off of the Harris site.

Kristiina
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birdsnblooms
17 years ago
Since, I haven't ordered a citrus since last summer, I'm not familiar w/the new laws..I know Fl had a problem w/canker last yr..I ordered and received trees from both Harris and Briteleaf w/o problems..no disease.
If I were you, I'd go to either www.briteleaf.com or www.harriscitrus.com and email each nursery..Ask if trees can be legally shipped out of state. They also have phone numbers on their sites, which is a simple call.
I never had luck w/4wind trees, but others swear by their hardiness..maybe it's me, but I prefer briteleaf and harris to 4winds..Toni
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mielemiele
17 years ago
I've just recieved my second order in a year from them. Very happy with the quality. FYI: They ship from California.

Shipping charges are:
A 1 yr potted tree is $22 plus $13 for shipping.
A 2-3 yr bare-root tree is $39 plus $18 for shipping.

You will save a few $$ if you order more than one tree, of the same age, at the same time.

Like most nurseries there is also a $10 "cold weather" additional charge that includes "hand warmer" heating pack, insulated wrap and 2-day shipping upgrade if cross country temps are below freezing.

I think I should also mention that many of the other growers I looked into don't seem to have much of a selection in stock right now.

Here is a link that might be useful: Four Winds Website
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gardner_dragon
17 years ago
Both Harris Citrus and Briteleaf are located in Fla. Both have banners on their website saying they are prohibited from shipping out of state at this time. A phone call to them had the same reply. I was told by both that they were sorry but they couldn't ship out of state at this time.
Andi
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bencelest
17 years ago
4Winds is my favorite. They are prompt and quick to reply and they have good nice looking trees. Last year there is a similar inquiry here regarding 4 winds growers.
99% of the people who responded had positive feedback.
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rickjames
17 years ago
I have lots of Four Winds trees but the only reason I do is because I live near their main facility--lol almost bought a house that adjoins them a few years ago--and so they are the dominant grower in terms of local availability. However, they NEVER answer my emails and each time I have called them, the phone is answered by someone who has no idea about anything and has a bit of a 'tude. Their trees are fantastic, I do agree with that--they are in the best nursery-grower's soil for a tree I have ever seen, bar none-- but I think they could use some better customer service.

BTW I like both Gold Nugget and Satsuma. Both seedless and cold-hardy, but Satsuma is prolly more so--famous for its cold-hardiness ( maybe then you could keep it outside a bit longer?). You should be fine with either. Gold Nugget is a much harder-to-find cultivar, at least in California.

Not meaning to hijack, but welcome back Toni. Hope all is well with you.
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birdsnblooms
17 years ago
Hey Rick..things are better now..there were major problems here at home...But life is starting to look up again. Thank God..How have you been? Hope all is well. And thanks for the welcome.
Andi, that's too bad Briteleaf and Harris are not shipping plants..I'm surprised juice prices haven't sky rocketed..(since we're big citrus drinkers here)
I bet the family owned businesses in Fl are really suffering..Will they ever be able to come up with a cure? Guess I lucked out since buying 99% of my trees from these two nurseries and no sign of disease..Toni
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gardner_dragon
17 years ago
Fruit of canker infected trees is safe, it just looks really bad. They can still make juice from the fruit. We being a society that bases many of our choices on aesthetics probably wouldn't eat an orange from a canker infected tree due to its looks. Fresh oranges for eating out of hand are another story. Most of these will be sky high in the grocery or fresh fruit stores. My Valencia's are blooming like crazy. I should have enough for a couple of fresh fruit fixes. Valencia is mainly a juice orange but it will do in a pinch for a fresh orange. The Satsuma are also loaded with small fruits at this time. Will have to build "crutches" to hold the branches up due to the weight.
Andi
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citrusboy
17 years ago
I have about 30 four winds trees and they are all thriving except for a Murcott Mandarin which I am responsible for killing. (grafting boo boo's). Hmm, I have never tried to call them because they respond to email pretty quickly. 24-36 hours is typically the longest I have waited for a response. Toby has always been extremely thorough as well.

You can order from these guys with confidence.
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couple questions about four winds

Comments (10)

gardner_dragon

Kristiina DiOrio

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