Having moved up to Anza a few years ago I began thinking about planting some trees, especially fruit trees. There are two choices up here for nurseries, Lizzy Anne's, and High Country. These two nurseries could not be more dissimilar, and that's a good thing. They both serve different needs and wants.
Why I had not visited High Country sooner is good question. Probably because they are not that visible. They are off the main ... anything ... road, town. As it happens they are close to my Post Office, and I was on my way to the Post Office and decided to take a look. Glad I did.
Pulling up I was greeted by two Labs, a Chocolate and a Black, both older, fat and slow moving. The Chocolate one dropped a tennis ball at my feet. I knew what was up and I was game, but unfortunately the ball rolled under the car, sorry Buddy. Next a man who stopped unloading some large Pines off a flat bed greeted me. He was obviously busy but took the time to say hello and crack a few jokes. I said you must be Scott and he acknowledged he was. You see, one of the first things I did after moving up here(4230') was check the businesses here with Yelp. And Scott was usually the only one to do any reviews. Thanks Yelp, thanks Scott.
The next thing I know I was getting a tour of place, which was fine with me, I was in no hurry. I was also getting a education about conifers. If you are into pines, firs, conifers in general, this is your place. I'm not into Conifers, not now anyway. He said he carries all size because he needs to accommodate all budgets. I saw pines that came in all different styles, tall and thin, short & fat, ones that drooped, soft needles, hard needles, long needles, short needles, and my favorite the variegated trees, really stunning. After about 10 minutes I had to tell him that the reason I came was to look at the fruit trees, cherry trees, Rainer specifically. Unfortunately he sold his last ones a week ago. He matter of faculty said all he had now was Stella and Black Tartarian. There was no push, no hard sell like I have experience elsewhere. I guess he gets it, I am going to live with this tree, this decision, for decades. We looked at a few Nectarine and Peach trees. The fruit trees looked good, I can't comment on the prices we never got that far. The whole place looked good. Clean, well organized, little signs on the conifers with price and pertinent information.
On the way out we talked about the possibility of ordering the Cherry trees I needed. He said if it made sense he would do it. I understood, I was a small business owner at one time. We shook hands, I said I would be back, and I will, but I probably bone up on conifers a little bit so I might have a better understanding of the special trees there. read more
