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Montana Trees For Sale

The Big Sky Country, or The Treasure State, is a large, western state in the United States, sharing a border with Canada. It is here in Montana the Western Yellow Pine (or Ponderosa Pine, Bull Pine, or Blackjack Pine), a large coniferous evergreen, reaches its tall heights, the record being a 268 foot pine. This is now the tallest known pine tree. With unique yellow or orange-red bark split into large plates by black fissures, the Western Yellow Pine is easy to identify. Younger specimens display blackish-brown bark, thus the other common name Blackjack Pine. The Western Yellow Pine has bright green needles bundles into groups of three, though the size of needles varies based on the individual species. Not limited to the Western Yellow Pine, Montanan growers have many varieties of trees to choose from when planting.

Due to its large size, low humidity, and varied geography the smart Montanan grower will need to consider the following:

 

Best Trees for Montana

Read about the specifics for your state in the following sections. If you’re looking for some quick ideas on what to plant, consider the following trees as expert-tested and The Tree Center approved:

  1. Royal Empress Trees

Ideal for providing fast-growing shade, year-round beauty, and drought resistance.

  1. October Glory Maple

Ideal for continuous color, adaptable growing conditions, and landscaping designs.

  1. Everbearing Strawberry

Ideal for bearing fruit, providing color, and delicious, edible profits.

  1. Tulip Poplar

Ideal for providing fast-growing shade, year-round beauty, and drought resistance.

Fast Growing Privacy Trees in Montana

As property in Montana continues to be developed, land owners are searching for trees that will provide privacy from prying neighborly eyes and loud, unwanted noise. There are many fast growing privacy trees in Montana, which will quickly grow after initial planting to offer your property and family long sought-after privacy.

The Thuja Green Giant, a staple of privacy trees throughout Montana, is a fast-growing pine that will quickly provide a barrier between you and your neighbors. Growing between 3-5 feet a year, the Thuja Green Giant will offer your yard classic French design with minimal hassle. Alternatively, the Leyland Cypress and American Holly will also add color and privacy to your yard’s perimeter.

Climate

Montana displays a wide variety of geographical and topographical variations across its large mass, and so it is no surprise the climate varies widely, too. The western half of the state is mountainous and the eastern half includes low plains, badlands, and isolated hills and mountain ranges. The Continental Divide largely impacts the area, stopping the movement of both warm Pacific air and cool continental air. The records speak for the temperatures variations; the highest on record is 117°F from 1893 and the lowest on record is -70°F in 1954. Temperature generally varies based on elevation, latitude, and season. Summers are hot with relatively low humidity, cooling above 4,000 feet. Winters are cold and snowy, averaging daily at about 28°F. Again, temperatures vary greatly. The same date -70°F was recorded near Rogers Pass, Helena, only 40 miles southeast, recorded a temperature of -36°F.

Soil Type

Most trees require well-drained soil rich with minerals to grow. Montana is covered in the rich, deep Scobey soils. Covering more than 700,000 acres, Scobey soils are well-draining and ideal for wheat. Regardless of the property’s location in Big Sky Country, a soon-to-be tree planter can perform a simple test to determine his/her soil type.

The squeeze test is a tool pedologists (soil scientists) use to determine the type of soil in a given area. Remove the first layer of soil and grab a handful of damp (but not wet) dirt. Then, squeeze the soil in the palm of your hand. When you open your hand, the results will help you to determine your specific type of soil.

1. The squeezed soil holds its squeezed shape. If you poke it, the soil will still hold its squeezed shape. You have CLAY
2. The squeezed soil holds its squeezed shape. However, when you poke it the squeezed soil collapses. Congratulations, you have LOAM.
3. The soil collapses as soon as you open your hands. You have SAND.

Once you know what soil type you have, you can find trees best suited to the dirt’s properties. Loam is the best soil to have, as its unique qualities make it ideal for holding and transferring water to trees.

Average Precipitation

The average annual precipitation in Montana is low, measuring at only 15 inches a year. However, as geography and temperatures vary greatly, so, therefore, does annual precipitation. The east of the state is drier, with the mountains blocking Pacific moist winds and creating a rain shadow. Places in these regions often measure less than 11 inches of rain. Heron, in the west, records 34 inches of rain annually, while the mountains can receive upwards of 100 inches of rain. Snow can be quite heavy, though again variable. Some areas in the south have averaged only 6 ½ inches of snow over sixteen years, while most cities receive between 30 and 50 inches of snow in the winter. Mountains ranges, unsurprisingly, can receive upwards of 300 inches of snow in a given season.

Irrigation

With a low annual average of rainfall, and such variations existing across the state, the Montana tree-planter will benefit from well-though out irrigation systems. Newly planted trees require consistent and controlled access to water. Upon transplantation, new trees’ root balls and new growth can suffer. Depending on the variety of tree you plant, your tree may need water anywhere from once a week to twice a day. Investigate the property for natural or man-made irrigation systems, and if none exist, consider a drip or sprinkler irrigation system to ensure well-managed water access for your plants.

Growing Zones

Montana’s diverse geography and temperature variations are part of the reason it has eight unique growing zones. A growing zone simply refers to the USDA’s determination of areas where certain plants are most likely to thrive, preferring to focus on minimal temperature ranges in which a plant can survive. Montana’s growing zones are centered around elevation points, with divergent zones throughout the state. Along the far west of the state, temperatures do not usually drop below -10°F, while many regions of the east and north experience frequent lows between -35°F and -40°F. At very high elevations, temperatures are likely to fall to -50°F for extended times.

Weather Damage

Snowstorms and floods are the most common in Montana. Snowstorms occur from September to May, though most falls from November to March. On the other hand, weather in Montana has continued to warm recently. Montana’s Glacier National Park is expected to be glacier-less in a few decades, and the melting water has caused flooding and record high temperatures. This has also caused severe forest fires in recent years, with a 200% increase in areas burned by wildfires and an 80% increase in air pollution. Trees can be an asset in flood and pollution situations, increasing air quality and providing protection from erosion.

If you prefer to purchase your trees or shrubs in person instead of online, we offer this comprehensive guide to purchasing a tree at your local Montana nursery or garden center. However, since we don’t actually live in Montana we can’t guarantee this list to be 100% accurate – but we did attempt to be as accurate as we possibly could. We have no affiliation with any of the businesses listed below and make no guarantees as to the businesses’ ability or the quality of trees you will receive. As with any purchase you make, be sure to check out the business with the Better Business Bureau, references, and any other sources you may have.

 

Montana Trees For Sale | The Tree Center™
BelgradeReese Creek Tree Farm1000 Reese Creek Road406-388-0813
BillingsBillings Nursery and Landscaping7900 S Frontage Road406-656-2410
BillingsSylvan Nursery Landscaping1720 Shiloh Road406-656-5169
BillingsVillage Gardens839 S 32nd Street W406-656-9847
BozemanBridger Canyon Tree Farm8860 Bridger Canyon Road406-587-4553
BozemanCashman Nursery2055 Springhill Road406-587-3406
BozemanHeisel Springhill Sod Farm4463 Springhill Road406-587-4858
BozemanWestscape Wholesale Nursery4141 Springhill Road406-522-3797
ButteEarthworks Nursery and Landscaping6200 US Highway 10406-494-4413
Columbia FallsColumbia Nursery and Landscape2544 9th Street W406-892-0339
CorvallisMoeller Nursery946 Eastside Highway406-961-3389
DillonRoxi’s Greenhouse and Nursery1200 North Lane406-683-4248
Great FallsBitterroot Supply523 9th Street S406-727-7572
Great FallsForde Nursery and Landscaping2025 2nd Ave NW406-727-0950
Great FallsHansen’s Nursery and Landscaping13th Street S & 33rd Ave S406-452-1731
HamiltonBitterroot Nursery521 Eastside Highway406-961-3806
HamiltonSam’s Spade Garden Tools109 N 4th Street406-363-1293
HelenaChadwick Nursery Landscape2010 E Custer Ave406-442-3931
HelenaShades of Green Landscape3403 Cooney Drive406-442-7033
HelenaValley Farms250 Mill Road406-458-5528
HuntleySunrise Nursery155 Highway 312406-348-2043
KalispellAngie’s Greenhouse Plant Care2828 Helena Flats Road406-752-2888
KalispellGlacier Nursery4343 MT Highway 35406-755-2248
KalispellGreenery2050 US Highway 93 N406-752-7878
KalispellNorth Valley Garden Center376 Tronstad Road406-756-6945
LaurelBig Sky Nursery and Greenhouse1500 E Railroad Street406-628-6827
LewistownHanson Creek Tree FarmRR 1 Box 1662406-538-3847
LibbyBill and Penni Flower and Garden666 Bowkers Street406-293-9224
LivingstonDeep Creek Green90 Deep Creek Road406-222-7109
LivingstonMontana Art and Garden4950 US Highway 89 S406-222-2429
LivingstonRosedale Gardens501 S 9th Street406-222-3662
MissoulaEarth and Wood North3004 W Broadway Street406-542-1219
MissoulaMarchie’s Nursery1845 S 3rd Street W406-542-2544
MissoulaPink Grizzly1400 Wyoming Street406-728-3370
MissoulaQuality Landscaping Nursery1347 Dakota Street406-880-4202
ParadiseParadise GardensHighway 200 & 135406-826-4242
PolsonFour Winds NurseryHighway 35 E Shore406-887-2215
PolsonGrouse Springs Nursery5853 E Shore Rte406-887-2696
PolsonMission View Greenhouse99 Fox Road406-883-6162
SidneySidney Greenhouse and Nursery311 2nd Street NW406-433-1107
TownsendHigh Country Gardens305 N Front Street406-266-3983
TroyBudding Light Nursery 406-295-9100