Comments regarding Lee's Nursery

I am here to tell you this company is a crap shoot at best. It was a toss up between a neutral and a negative. Here are the facts. My first order was for 5 bare root trees. I ordered from ebay because the ratings they had at the time were 99%. With the amout of business they conduct that is excellent. So I ordered through paypal thinking I made a good decision. My account was paid in full as soon as it clicked the button. Ten days pass and no trees. I emailed, no response. I searched online, found a phone number and called. I spoke to a very polite woman and she promsied me my order would be filled. I was informed of a bad storm, no power, no internet. Ok, I got it, out of Lee's control but an email stating the problem would be nice. I got my trees and 4 were dried sticks with very little roots. I ptanted all of them and within 5 days 1 showed signs of new life. 1 just dried up and 3 did nothing. I continued to waterand them care for them, lots of TLC. Well, 3 were dead, 1 lived and 1 finely came around and is doing great. I thought to myself, I will give them one more chance. I figured the prices are great and shipping is fast once the order is shipped. When I got the second order it was just 2 dried twigs. Not good, not happy. Here is the thing. The second order I had to call and ask for a refund due to it taking so long to ship. I was going out of town and did not want to get my trees when I was not home. When I mentioned I wanted to cancel my order was shipped the next day. I was told of this same storm. These orders were well over a month apart. I have read great things about this company. I understand that bare root trees are a crap shoot. I just know it's not worth spending the money for something that may not survive. I checked ebay and it seems the company is not on ebay anymore. I wonder why? Anyway, If you want take the chance. Not me, I have found it better to spend some extra money and order from a company that will answer emails, phone calls, and has a better survival rate. I did a lot of research and found such a company. I will not order bare root trees again. It is not worth it in the long run. Bare root trees are only good if you can buy them and plant them fast. Oh, and the company I found that has beautiful trees, Sooner. That is all I will say.

I ordered 10 bareroot plants from this nursery on eBay. The prices are low, and the shipping is reasonable.

However, all plants arrived in a very dried condition with very few roots. The Roses of Sharon and another plant (which I've forgotten the name), and the two trumpet vines are doing well. Of the three crepe myrtles, the purple one did not leaf out but is growing from the root. The white crepe myrtle and the red crepe myrtle did not leaf out and today, nearly 60 days later, there is no sign of life in them. The abelia also has not to date leafed out.

I contacted them (40 days after my order arrived) and requested replacements for the red and white crepe myrtles and for the abelia. They did not reply to my email. When I wrote again, I was told that they had replied to my previous email and asked me to scrape the bark on the three plants. I did so, an reported to them that the abelia showed green but the two crepe myrtles were brown and dead.

To date, I have received no further emails from them nor have I received any replacement plants. The abelia cost $3.98 (2-3 ft), the crepe myrtles (3-4 ft) cost $8.98 each + shipping. So, I am out nearly $25.00 not counting the $8.98 crepe myrtle which is growing from the root after I paid for a 3-4' plant. I feel that one should also have been replaced but I did not specifically request it. So, in the long run, the "good" price for the plants an the "reasonable" shipping was not a bargain after all.

They state they have a one-year guarantee. It does not appear to me that they have any guarantee.

I would not consider doing business with them again.

I had disappointing experience with fruit trees puirchased seven years ago. I was in their neighborhood two weeks ago and was unable to find Lee's Nursery in the phone book and a relative who resides there did not know Lee's Nursery. I presume they have closed.