Comments regarding Stark Brothers Nurseries & Orchards Company

I am originally from Wenatchee, Washington The 'Apple Capitol" of the United States. I know how to judge if an apple tree was well grown. I have a home orchard, and over 40 years of experience receiving and planting apple trees.

I recently ordered ONE apple tree from Stark Brothers -- the Company that heavily promotes its "legacy" of apple growing. I was shocked, and thoroughly disgusted by the POOR quality tree I received.

The tree had a root system which was so small, I doubt if this tree will survive, no matter how well it is taken care of. The longest piece of root is about FOUR inches long. the entire root mass of this $31.00 tree could fit into a two cup measuring cup!

This was supposed to be a "2 N 1"apple tree, with two different varities growing on the same root stock. What I received shows no indication of having an additional variety grafted onto the tree.

Additionally, the package was very poorly prepared for shipping. The single small tree was put into a plastic bag with no packing material and slopped into a huge cardboard box. There was nothing to prevent this tree from being slammed around inside the box.

All in all, this was THE poorest tree and the POOREST packing job I have ever seen in 40 years of growing apple trees.

I do not know how a Company that offers this incredibly POOR quality of product can stay in business!

"On May 6, 2010 3:47 PM, Stark Brothers Nurseries & Orchards Company responded with:

We are very sorry to hear about the condition in which you received your 2-N-1 apple tree! From the way you described your experience, we completely understand why you feel dissatisfied. We pride ourselves on satisfying customers with quality trees, and our Promise of Satisfaction guarantees any products you receive from us up to one year from shipment. Please contact our Customer Support Team at info@starkbros.com, or by phone at 800.325.4180, and we will freely ship you another 2-N-1 apple tree to replace the original. At Stark Bro's, we strive to satisfy our customers with the highest quality trees and plants, and we will do everything we can to see that you receive one that meets your expectations!"

I have a Stark Blushing Golden apple tree that has never flowered or fruited in the seven years I have had it with six different blooming apples close by. It has also developed a very unusual gall- like enlargement where the topstock is grafted. It was determined this is a graft defect and or crown gall, and no fault of my own. Since stark changed ownership however they refused to help me even in any way, though I have both their tree tag, and proof of purchase. I am removing the defective tree

Many companies will work in good faith to help customers if a tree is defective or not true to name. STARK Bros. did not. If anyone gets a tree from them that turns out to be defective after their first growing season BEWARE that they may not stand behind their products. I was NOT asking or expecting a free tree, but an ounce of empathy, and maybe an offer to perhaps share some in a replacement would go a long way to avoid having to write this most unpleasant note. This is not a way to keep or get new customers.

Don Chilo
Colorado Springs, CO

"On Apr 21, 2010 9:33 AM, Stark Brothers Nurseries & Orchards Company responded with:

Stark Bro's stands behind our products, but more importantly, we stand behind our customers. We understand that planting and growing successfully is dependent upon many different factors, some of which are out of anyone's control. In light of this, we have a Promise of Satisfaction for all of our customers regarding every order: if for any reason you are not 100% satisfied with your products or your experience with Stark Bro's, we will send you one-time free replacements or issue a full refund within a year of shipment.

We are very sorry to have lost your trust! It is true that Stark Bro's is under new ownership as of 2002. We firmly stand behind our guarantee for all orders placed under our new ownership. For orders placed with Stark Bro's prior to 2002, we promise to review each individual case when presented with the appropriate documentation. We encourage any customers who have issues with their products (purchased prior to 2002) to send us a copy of their proof of purchase, along with any other documentation they may have (i.e. - tags, pictures, etc.). All pictures of abnormal growths, deformities or diseases are reviewed by our Product Specialist for professional advice, and all of these concerns are reviewed on an individual, personal basis by upper management. Please feel free to send the documentation you have to our office! You can mail it to:

Stark Bro's Nurseries & Orchards
PO BOX 1800
Louisiana, MO
63353

You can also fax us at 573.754.8880, or email us at info@starkbros.com.

Thank you for your honest review, and we hope to do whatever we can to regain your faith and trust with Stark Bro's!"

Ordered Kwik Krop Balck Walnut.

Plant arrived with a dime sized hole in bark down to central core. Also, root stock was like a carrot with NO side roots.

Called Stark Bro's - they claimed thats how the trees roots are supposed to be. ( I think not). Also said the hole was caused by insect damage.

On the positive side they did offer to replace tree but I would have to pay shipping costs again ! They should have inspected the tree before being sent.

"On Mar 29, 2010 10:21 AM, Stark Brothers Nurseries & Orchards Company responded with:

Thank you for sharing your honest experience with Stark Bros. We apologize for the condition of the tree you received - it is true that sometimes insects can get into the packing and damage the leads. We try to offer the highest quality plants to our customers but understand that dealing with green goods can be very tricky. This is why we cover your purchases with our one-year Guarantee. We want to make your growing experience the best it can be!

Our Promise of Satisfaction here at Stark Bros states that if for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your order, within one year of shipment we will: refund you the full merchandise amount or will send you a one-time free replacement. That includes free shipping!

If you would still like your black walnut replaced, please feel free to email us at info@starkbros.com or call our Customer Support Team at 800.325.4180.
"

As I look at all these positive reviews, I am so sad to write a bad one. Last may I ordered a Canadice seedless grapevine, Typar tree circles, and a 2-N-1 classic pie semi-dwarf apple tree after I was referred to by another customer. I got the typar tree circles along with the Stark growing guide, but I have never received to this date my apple tree and grapevine. Rather than call and see what the matter was, I looked at other websites to see if they have better and cheaper stuff. So, last week on Thursday I ordered 3 trees, 2 grapevines, and 1 banana plant from Willis Orchard, I received my trees today. They were nice and healthy and significantly cheaper than the 2 plants I ordered from Stark Bro's. I am sad to write this review, as so many other customers had better experiences with this company, but I think people would want to think a 2nd time before they order more pricey plants from this company. Good thing they only charge the credit card when they ship.

"On Apr 7, 2010 5:00 PM, Stark Brothers Nurseries & Orchards Company responded with:

We are sorry you were dissatisfied with your experience with Stark Bro's! There are several possible reasons why you never received your grape and apple tree. Our Customer Support Team is here to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding your order last Spring, and we extend our hours during our shipping seasons so that every concern or complaint can be quickly and satisfactorily addressed. We strive very hard to please our customers and give them the best growing experience possible. We would be happy to address your issues from last year if you would like to inquire at info@starkbros.com or call us at 800.325.4180."

Being from the South I could never emphasize enough how fanatical we Southerners are about Peaches. I have been married to a Georgia Peach for 27 years. When I looked at http://www.starkbros.com and saw all the varieties of Peach Trees they offered I quickly began filling my shopping cart with Blushing Star Peach Trees and the Stark special hybrid Saturn Peach Tree and a few Blackberry Bushes. I bought a few peach trees from a local nursery also and planted them close to my Authentic, Hybrid, Saturn and Blushing Star Peach trees so that I could more easily keep them sprayed as my local nursery had instructed. I watered and trimmed all trees the same, keeping a close watch for the growth buds that Stark Bro's Nursery promised would be popping open any time and that was back in mid April! Now I have 3 peach trees from my local nursery that are lush and green and 5 brown twigs from Stark Bro's Nursery. I should have known when Starks would not advise me about how to spray my Saturn and blushing Star Peach Trees that my local nursery was right and I should have bought locally. I will NEVER make that mistake again!

"On Apr 7, 2010 3:37 PM, Stark Brothers Nurseries & Orchards Company responded with:

Thank you for letting us know of your disappointment with our peach trees, we are very sorry to hear they did not meet your expectations! All of our fruit trees are two years old when we ship them, coming to you on average 3-4 ft. tall. The trees may look like sticks (especially if they've been pre-pruned) and that is mostly due to their young age. The strength and quality of our trees is in the root system. It's from there that the tree tops will grow and mature.

It's been about a year: are you satisfied with the growth of your peach trees? If not, please notify us and we will gladly send you free replacements. We want your peach harvest to be abundant and your growing experience, exceptional! Our Product Specialist can assist in any spraying information you may need. For replacements on your peach trees, or for any inquiries, comments or critiques, you can contact our Customer Support Team at info@starkbros.com or by phone at 800.325.4180. Your satisfaction is important to us!"

Just a comment about their website shopping experience. Stark Brothers DEFINITELY needs to add a mechanism to retrieve a forgotten password on their website. It's simply not possible, and it requires a call to customer service to do so. Almost every company out there on the web that has login information has a simple mechanism to e-mail forgotten log-in info to your e-mail address within seconds. Stark Brothers should seriously consider updating their website to allow this, since it would save everyone time and trouble.

IF you forget your log-in information, you CANNOT order again until you retrieve the information via a phone call.

I haven't had major problems with their products, and order quite often from them. Just wanted to post this to encourage them to make their website more user-friendly.

"On Apr 7, 2010 2:19 PM, Stark Brothers Nurseries & Orchards Company responded with:

To all of our customers who made us aware of the changes you wished to see on our website - thank you for telling us how we could make your online shopping experience better! We do listen to your suggestions and have made some changes based on your advice:

1. We have included an automatic email retrieval of password information that no longer requires a call to our Customer Support Team.

2. The checkout process has been modified and updated to be quicker and more self-explanitoy.

3. You can now search for products based on key words or item/catalog numbers.

These are only 3 of many new changes that occurred in 2009, thanks to your suggestions and honest critiques. Look for many more changes to come in 2010.

Thank you for taking part in the creation and development of our website! Your comments are always welcomed by our Customer Support Team at info@starkbros.com or toll-free 800.325.4180.
"

I have ordered several times from Stark over the years. Plant health is always good. The last order, however, was disappointing. I ordered several Persimmons, Paw-Paws, and many Walnut and other nut trees.

The Persimmons and Paw Paws were twigs. The caliper was no more than 1/4 inch, and the "trees" were, essentially, 1 year's worth of growth twigs.

The nut trees were somewhat better. They were, typically, short, but at least looking like more than 1 year of growth in the root stock.

In short, they would sell a lot fewer trees if they were honest in their catalog about the stature of the trees; 1/4" caliper, 1-3 feet tall. In other words - twigs.

I'd rather have had the information before I ordered the trees, because once you unpack 60 trees you are pretty much committed.

My opinion now is that Stark is borderline deceptive with their catalog - deceit through omission.

bought 15 raspberry plants about 5 years ago, approx. 8 did not grow, company gave refund for failed plants but would not refund the total bill. sent plants a month before spring frost dates. last spring pulled up all remaining plants due to desease. would not reccomend.

I am not totally displeased with this company by any means, but I have noticed a dropoff in quality compared to the good ol' days.
I first planted 12 Stark Brothers Dwarf and Semi-Dwarf fruit trees when I moved here 31 years ago. They all grew great, gave great fruit and (I still visit the old place even though I have moved) are ALL still thriving all these years later.
3 years ago I moved out of town to 35 acres to start my semi-retirement. I planted 26 Stark brothers trees over the three springs I have been here.
I never had a problem with the old Stark trees, but I have had THREE of these new ones break at the graft! (It does get a little windy here, but I only live 5 miles from where my original dozen trees are still going strong.)
Two of the trees were less than a year old and Starks replaced them, no problem. However, today I found that one of my original apple trees, unfortunately with quite a few small apples on it, had broken off at the graft. Now that's a tragedy!
Since it's over a year old, I won't be able to get it replaced, but I don't really care about getting a new tree free. I care about a tree that was doing GREAT suddenly dying on me.
Contrary to some of the other folks here I have had NO problem with their customer service people. What I am worrying about is if they are cutting some corners somehow? No sense in going to all the trouble planting these, spraying, watering, just to have them break at ground level! It seems to me that a grafted tree in its third summer should have enough new wood not to do this.
I'm just hoping no more die.
As far as them getting started out of the box, I have NEVER had a Stark Brothers tree do less than really thrive even the first year, but I do takes pains to plant them right.

I really am quite upset by these people. The impression I have gotten from them is that they think I am trying to scam them. They really don't want to take care of the issue. The issue is that I got two trees that were dry in a box. The plastic wrap inside the undamaged box, was not sealed. I got two crippled trees that suffered because they were baked dry. When I call support, the feeling is that I am lying or incompetent. If the bag had been intact, then maybe I would not be complaining. If their support had handled the problem I would not be complaining. Instead, they know that what they sent was perfect.

I ordered two trees from them in March. They were both pretty small but since I usually have pretty good luck with smaller trees over the long run, I didn't have a big issue with the size. I really wanted an Everbearing Mulberry and a Van Deman Quince. The Van Deman Quince is one of Luther Burbank's varieties, so, for me, it has an extra charm.

I called their support when I got them and was assured that they were perfect in every single way. Seriously. They were absolutely sure they were fine. So I planted them. I also planted two pears, three jujube trees, three quince, five plums, four peach trees, a persimmon, a mayhaw, a hawthorn, three elderberries, a goumi, an olive, a russian olive, two mulberries, and a few other fruit trees from various sources. The jujube's are growing slowly, but they are growing. The rest of the trees are doing great, except for the two trees from Stark.

I don't want to waste good tree locations on trees stressed beyond their ability to recover gracefully. I especially don't want weakened trees promoting disease in those locations.
They still have what looks like live growth spots on the trees. . It is June, there is no healthy growth on these plants although they are alive. So I will continue nursing and watering two trees that have small chance of thriving. I really don't expect them to become nice healthy fruit trees after what they have been through. I am not at this point interested in their sending me a replacement at the end of the year so I can have a repeat of the issue. I garden for the beauty of it, the fun, food and relaxation. I have gotten none of these things out of this experience.

I will be ordering from someone else to replace these trees. I really don't want to have any further relations with these folk. I will continue to water the sad sticks, in hopes that they will make it. I probably should dig them out, carefully wash the soil off the roots, and remove the sections of root that are dead.

Bob

I ordered 2 cherry trees, one Stella at regular price and one Balaton at a ' Supreme" price after consulting with customer service who explained that the supreme price would insure a better tree and a special planting package. The Stella was about 3 1/2 ft tall and in good shape. The SUPREME Balaton was puny, barely 2 ft tall. The package consisted of a treeguard which was of no use since there was no trunc enough to wrap it around, and 3 plant tabs. When I conctacted customer service they said that Supreme simply meant the best available, NOT superior quality and that they would send me a replacement if the tree failed to grow. I feel that I was misled and that the tree they sent was not only not supreme, but actually SUBSTANDARD and if that was all that was available they should have notified me. Needless to say I will never order from this company again.

About six years ago I Purchased about 25 trees from Stark Bros. Since then three have died at the time of purchase there was a life time guarantee. When I tries to get the trees replaced Stark Bros. refused to comply. Excuse no.#1 The company has been sold and we don't have the records. Second call . WE now only give a one tear grarantee. Third call refer to call #2. I asked for a letter for the reason since the name Stark Bros.is still being used and how they can void our contract . Eight months later still no response.
Robin Messina
Northampton CO. PA
Zone 6A

Three years ago I purchased asparagus, strawberries, blueberries, three apple trees and a fig tree. The only thing that lived from this whole order has been two of the appletrees, the pollinater died so I have had no apples, the fig tree which is about 1' tall, last year had 6 figs the size of peas and this year has about that many the same size. My letter to Stark Bros went unanswered in spite of the fact my husband and I had been customers of theirs for 30 years.
I will find another source for replacements for these things.

I received my order today from Stark Brothers. I am very disappointed in the paw paw tree. It was marked 4X4X10 on the box and the tree measured 3 inches! the blackberry plants I ordered in 3 packs were also very small and skimply looking. I will not be ordering from the catalog again!

I am listing this comment as a negative not due to Stark's commitment or their customer service. All have been beyond reproach.

However, that being said, I have noticed a reprehensible decline in their stock quality over the last 3 years. Three years ago, most of their fruit tree stock arrived well packed and at least 1/2 in caliper, (minimum). This year I ordered persimmon trees that were littel more than 6 month whip grafts. I measured the smallest at 16 inches, (that's not a typo), and 1/4 caliper at the price others are selling 4 - 5 ft trees of the same cultivar. Disappointed? Yes. My business goes elsewhere next year. Sorry Stark Bros, you got the greed bug and you will lose your cutomer base if this continues. You certainly lost my business and I am an old fashioned faithful customer.

Back in January 2005 I carefully planned out my fruit orchard and ordered all trees from Stark's to be delivered in April. I thought by ordering early I was reserving them. Well, they didn't show up in April so I called in May. "Oh, we have an order but it hasn't been completed, it is on hold"
How nice huh? and guess what? Almost half of my order was SOLD OUT! It was a big order, about 15-20 trees, all carefully selected for proper pollenation. Out of all the twigs (I ordered the better twigs) I finally received, 5 of them died. Never again with Stark's or any of their other companies.

I bought several trees from Stark spring of 2005. The fall of 2005 I had to have a peach tree replaced, which is doing fine. I had to have a cherry tree replaced this spring and it has died also. So far, I have lost 3 of the trees that they sent. The apple trees I bought will probably not make it, they are just about the as last year. I bought from other nurseries at the same time and the stock I received from them is doing excellent. I will not buy from Stark again.

Over several years I have had a declining experience with this company (and their affiliates). At first I received super stock with healthy roots and prompt customer service. However if you read these other experiences from fed-up gardeners you will see a pattern. This year all the Gardens Alive! companies switched to APX/DHL ( or something like that) for their postal needs. This outfit picks up their packages (probably daily) and is supposed to put them into the USPS system. However since they try to make money they don't send out a pallet to your shipping zone until it's full. So your plants sit in a warehouse drying out until it's cost effective for them to ship.

Now I had two orders coming this year from this company. One was held over from last year (since they sold my bought and paid for months in advance plants to warmer growing zones and ran out) and the other was this years. They shipped out on 4/11 and 4/12. The first came after only 8 days. I felt that was great. The one shipped one day later took just shy of 3 WEEKS! Well as experienced gardeners you know what I found. Dried up twigs. So I paid 20+ dollars in shipping for firewood.

I obviously can contact them for a refund or whatever but I think I've had enough. Besides if they send me replacements then they will just ship the same backward way and I'll have more kindling for the wood stove next winter. Most of all is the disappointment of planning all winter and coming up short when it's too late to re-order.

Follow other people's advice and find better companies with better business practices. If Stark's changes their ways I may come back, but only time will tell.

My experience with Stark Brothers has been awful. We ordered 19 trees in March and I requested a ship date of mid-April for my zone 5. They charged my credit card in April for $73 more than the order. When I called the company about this they informed me their computer system had a glitch in it and they would credit my credit card the $73. They also said they shipped my trees on April 12th. On April 24th, when I still didn't have my trees, I called the company and was informed that they would have to re-ship them but they didn't have 2 of the trees that I had ordered and one of the trees I was never going to get anyway because they were totally out of it and I couldn't even get it shipped in the fall. They informed me that they hadn't billed me for this tree. However, when I told them they most certainly did because the total on my credit card included this tree, they disagreed and said they would send it to accounting to investigate. I emailed them with a list of the trees I ordered and the cost from their catalog with an offer to fax them the original order form with the costs they charged me, but I have not heard from them. Now it's April 29th, no trees, I've been overbilled and no one will contact me to rectify this situation. It must be nice to have someones credit card number and charge whatever you want to it without providing the merchandise.

I'm fed up with Starks. First, if you're a northern gardener, it doesn't matter HOW early you order and pay for your items, you're left to FATE to determine whether you receive them or not. Stark has admitted that they ship via gardening zone, and do NOT reserve pre-paid plants. So, if you're in a zone with a late start to planting season, you're likely to get screwed, as I did last year: they completely ran out of a variety of blackberry I PAID FOR in January, by shipping them to customers in other zones--even when they purchased late--and not reserving plants for MY zone's paid customers.

This year, we're playing "Where are the fruit trees?" games. I paid for two fruit trees on Feb. 2, and was given a ship date of April 10th..later changed to April 13th. Well, THAT date was changed to April 17th, and here I sit, on April 27th, with no trees. I could have walked from Missouri to Iowa in less time!

I've called Customer Service twice, and both times got rather frazzled and terse help...both times they said, "Sorry! Not allowed to look into this matter, track the shipment, or save you some replacement trees until TEN working days have passed."

If I get dead trees after their long journey (ha!) from the state below me, I'm sure that, by then, they'll have "sold out" and can't replace mine, either. I'm 50 years old and can't afford to keep waiting year after year while Stark gets their you-know-what together.

I will *not* do business with them again. Miller Nurseries in NY offers nearly identical stock, and MUCH better shipping and customer service.

I ordered quite a number of fruit trees one january. since i wanted the best, i ordered the "supreme" pruned and all. april came--no trees. they told me they had been shipped-but had no tracking number. the post office finally convinced them the trees had never arrived. so, in may, late to plant trees here, i recieved my order. the most twisted, puny, disreputable trees i've ever seen.and, as for the lifetime guarentee i purchased my trees under? forget it, the company filed bankruptcy. so, my beautiful orchard of stark trees,( in my dreams only)is something i'm sure to show people who want to start a "Starks" orchard. i'd reccomend going to your supermarket trees first.

I ordered 15 fruit trees from "STARK NURSERIES" I WAITED AND WAITED BUT THE TIME I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD SHIP TO ME CAME AND WENT. AFTER 4 CALLS APPROXIMATELY A WEEK APART EACH DURING EACH CALL THEY TOOK FOREVER TO FIND MY ORDER DUE TO THE FACT I ORDERED OVER THE INTERNET THEY COULD NOT FIND IT THEY KEPT SAYING THE NUMBER I SUPPLIED TO THEM WAS A COMMERCIAL ORDER! WELL THE POST OFFICE CALLS ME AND SAYS I HAVE A PACKAGE TO LARGE TO BRING TO MY HOME? I CAN SEE NO SENSE IN SHIPPING AN UNDELIVERABLE PAKAGE THRU A SERVICE THAT IS NOT EASILY TRACKABLE- THE TREES WERE A MONTH LATE, HAD SPROUTED 5-6 INCHES DURING THIS LONG ORDEAL AND THE "FREE" GIFT WAS A MOULDY PILE OF GOO!
SEVERAL OF THE TREES DIED WITHIN A MONTH DESPITE CARE OF A TYPE THAT HAS GROWN FABULOUS TREES IN THE PAST IN A LOCATION/SUN/SOIL AAAAA++++. WHEN I CALLED IN TO CLAIM THE REPLACEMENT THEY TRIED TO TELL ME TO BEAT ON THE DEAD TREES WITH A ROLLED UP MAGAZINE! ONLY WITH GREAT INSISTENCE DID THEY AGREE TO REPLACE THEM IF I AGREED TO PAY SHIPPING NEVER NEVER NEVER DEAL WITH THESE PEOPLE THEY ARE NOT! THE STARK OF OLD.

A couple of years ago I bought some currant bushes, several strawberry plants, a "fruit cocktail" tree, a necterine, and an apricot tree from them. They sent everything in one shipment, but when I got my credit card statement they had overcharged me. So I called them and they argued that There had been two shipments and the charges were correct. They refuesed to remove the charges. I contacted the credit card company who promised to take care of it. Stark Bros. challanged the credit card company and I had to fight them for months, they could never be bothered to check their shipping records for the mystery second order.

My family has bought from them from years, but that was the last order we will ever place with them.

Oh yeah, the strawberry plants died within a month, different plants that I bought locally at the same time are still thiving. The currents looked dead when the arrived and never produced so much as a leaf. The fruit cocktail tree hasn't grown an inch in almost three years. I would contact them to complain, but I can already see where that would go!

Placed my first and last Start Bros. order. I ordered 6 roses. Received duplicate order. Called them and they requested that I package the duplicate order back up and ship back to them. Spent approx. 1 hr. one night packaging the order back up like they had it, didn't really expect the tiny little roses to survive another shipment though.
Husband took the box to the Post Office. Once I realized they had refunded the charge for the roses, I requested a refund of the shipping charges (used the same amount they charged me to ship the first time). They told me before they could refund my shipping, they would need a receipt for our shipping charges. My husband did not get a receipt. "Customer Service Rep" said she would see what she could do for me after speaking with her supervisor - did not hear back from them. This was their mistake. I didn't charge for my time and mileage, etc., for shipping the plants back. All I wanted was refund for the same shipping charge that they charged me. In trying to do the "right thing", it cost me for their mistake in the first place. Buyer beware!

About five years ago I ordered 2 hybrid elm trees. they sent me two trees, but one turned out dead (they replaced) the other was a poplar. When I complained they said the popular was a type similar to the elm. Silly me I believe them, assuming they meant some special hybrid poplar. But no it was the usual tall stick, ugly as sin and awful looking next to the elm (i had wanted two matching elms.

I also order a sycamore and the y sent me something, that looks and grows like a poplar (tall and narrow).

I have not dealt with them again.

Several years ago I bought a dwarf peach and apricot tree from Stark's by mail. The trees arrived in good condition and grew well but have never blossomed! One call to Stark's and I'm told to use nitrogen, another call and I'm told NOT to use nitrogen,another call tells me it is a pollination problem .... how can it be pollination when I never had any blossoms to pollinate to begin with?! A Bonanza genetic dwarf peach from Home Depot is in the same area and has always blossomed and bore fruit.

I have heard from others with this same problem with Stark's fruit trees ... are they sterile or what?

I bought 17 fruit trees from Stark in October, 2000. 9 never leafed out. I called Stark in early April 2001, I was told the trees were still dormant. I called again in June. An answering machine told me that the company was out of business. When I received a catalogue in December 2001, I requested a refund. It was not honered, only replacements would be. I decided to get replacements. April 2002 came, but no trees. I called to find out what happened to my replacements. Stark did not have my order. I faxed them copy of my request and original invoices. 6 trees arrived with no explanation why 6, not 9. Another call resulted in a promise of shipment within 2 - 3 weeks. No trees. After another call, I was told a credit had been given to my account to apply to the next purchase. I just placed my order for the replacements. Let's see whether I'll get another run around. It will be 3 lost growing seasons from the original purchase.

I purchased raspberry plants from Stark's 4 years ago. They did not produce the first two years (I thought I would give them plenty of time to become aclimated). All other raspberries that I have planted in the past have borne the first year after planting (fall planting). The third year, when they still did not bear, I called Stark's to complain. I was told that they were under new management, and to call back in about 3 months. When I called back, I was told that their warranty covered only one year. I tried to complain to the customer service rep's higher up and was told that he was not available. I will never buy from Stark's again, especially since I have discovered Millers.

I have ordered a total of about ten fruit trees from them. All arrived in good shape. One nectarine turned out to be a peach tree. I bought a pluot and aprium set that were sold as a pollinating combination. Years later I found out that pluots and apriums do not pollinate each other. Repeated calls and letters yielded nothing more than an offer to sell me a plum for my pluot and an apricot pollinator for my aprium.

I ordered last year before they filed bankruptcy and received an order full of moldy and dying plants. I complained, was told my order was being resent, and waited until I heard of the bankruptcy. This year I recieve a catalog almost identical to the previous years. I read the new warranty and called customer service. I told them my name and they had my address and everything. They then stated the replacement would be sent when the weather was right. Weather got right and I got a form letter that they didn't get order records (apparently they did get mailing lists) from the former owners and asking me to prove I ordered. I sent packing lists and still no reply. If your'e not going to honor a warranty, don't offer.
Rob B.

I ordered a banana, orange, lemon and weigela this year. They shipped too early during freezing temps. The banana and orange died from the damage. The weigela is growing well and I nursed the lemon back to health. I have ordered four trees from them in the past. Two lived and two died. With this 50-50 ratio I think I will ask for the refund and shop elsewhere in the future.

I have been trying to have Stark Bros. replace two failed fruit trees (or obtain a refund) since Summer 2001, with negative results. After I contacted the Missouri AG's office, I learned that the company declared bankruptcy. Imagine may surprise when I received a Stark Bros. Spring 2002 catalog in my mailbox in early December 2001! I've since written to the Missouri AG about this shady business practice, but I don't expect any relief

I spent over $200 on fruit trees from Stark Bros. about 25 years ago. The trees; plums, apples, pears, were carefully planted on a hillside with compost and watering. They all lived and thrived but were stunted and never bloomed even though I bought the requisite male/female etc. groupings. I wrote to Stark Bros about the trees repeatedly each year and was told - Tough! I never ordered again from them.

I had read many great and good comments about Stark Brothers. I ordered several trees last fall. The trees never arrived, so I called the company and was told that the trees should have been shipped but apparently there was a slip up somewhere. So they offered to send them as soon as possible in the spring. We live in southern Kansas (zone 6) and when it got to be May and still no trees I called Stark Brothers customer service and was told that the order had been cancelled. I would not recommend them for their service because they have none! All in all it is not a very good way to run a business.

My husband and I order a lot of edible landscaping plants, seeds, and bulbs from catalogs. We had really bad luck with Stark Bros for fruits, (they all died two years in a row.)