Frequently Asked Questions: Ordering and Shipping

Do you ship citrus trees directly to consumers?

Yes!  We can ship grafted Dwarf Citrus directly to your home or business. In California, our product line is more extensive and can be found by visiting many local nurseries and garden centers. See Where to Buy in California.

How old are the trees when they ship?

We offer two tree sizes: A one year old tree in a 4x6” pot, or a bare-rooted two-three year old tree which comes out of a 5 gallon size (12” diameter) nursery pot. See a photo comparing the two sizes.

What is the difference between the two tree sizes?

One Year trees come in a 4" x 4" x 6" container of soil mix. They generally are 12"-16" tall with about a 3/8" diameter trunk. The Two-Three year trees are taller, well branched and have a much larger root system. They have been grown in a 12” container and are over two feet tall. These trees have a trunk that can range between 1/2" and 3/4" in diameter. The canopy is about a foot in diameter. See a photo of the difference between the two sizes.

What do I need to do when I receive my One Year tree?

Open the package as soon as possible and check the moisture in the soil. Place in a well lighted location. Water as needed to maintain moist but not overly saturated roots. It is best to repot the tree into a larger container (6"-8" diameter) within a month of delivery to give the roots more room to grow.

What do I need to do when I receive my Two-Three Year tree?

Two-Three Year trees are carefully bare rooted and their roots packed in a bag with damp wood shavings. Gently shake off some of the shavings and separate the trunks, roots and foliage. Orders with multiple trees will arrive bundled and may appear as one plant! Plant in the ground if climate permits or in a container with adequate drainage holes. Avoid dense soil mixes or lighten them with wood shavings.  Pot each tree in a 12"-14" diameter container with sufficient holes for ample drainage. Tie the tree to the stake provided for support. Do not tie too tightly and use horticultural ribbon if possible. Water the tree immediately after planting, using Vitamin B-1 rooting tonic if desired.  Don’t plant in an excessively large container such as a half wine barrel, as this will tend to waterlog the root system and cause unnecessary stress.

What else do I need to know about ordering?

Please provide accurate information in case UPS or Four Winds Growers needs to contact you regarding the shipment. We will not otherwise contact you or share your information with anyone. The order is entered on a secure server so your personal information and credit card number can not be viewed by a third party.

When do you ship?

We ship on Mondays to insure arrival of trees before the weekend.

Is it safe to order online using a credit card?

Yes, it is. We have a secure credit card processing system with strict encryption procedures. We accept Visa and Mastercard. You are also welcome to pay for your order by check or money order.

What is the cost?

Proceed to the order page to see pricing on trees, including quantity discounts, as well as size and varieties currently available.

How much does shipping and handling cost?

It varies by the size and quantity of the trees and also depends on the shipping destination. To see exact costs, please proceed through to Check Out. You will be able to review the shipping and handling costs before deciding to place your order.

Can I request a specific ship date?

A: You can order up to 4 weeks in advance. Select a Monday ship date on the Checkout page under the Delay Shipment Until heading. Orders to the West usually arrive in two days, while Midwest and East Coast orders usually arrive by Thursday or Friday.

What if I want RUSH Service?

Outside of California, you can request UPS 2 Day Air Rush Service for an additional charge. Because all our orders go out on Monday, Rush Service orders are generally received one day earlier than our regular shipments.  On a Rush Service Order with trees, the non-tree items may be shipped USPS- Priority Mail. Their shipping is not calculated at the higher UPS 2nd Day Air rate. If there are no trees on a Rush Service Order, a UPS 2nd Day Air charge will be added to the order.

What about Cold Weather Shipping?

During winter months we ship to cold weather states at our discretion.  You can select the Cold Weather Handling Option during check out.  Then we secure a heating device in the box with your tree, and ship using UPS 2nd Day Air Service, so it will arrive a day sooner.  The cost for this service is $5.00 plus applicable UPS 2nd Day Air rate.

Can you ship to every state?

We can ship citrus trees throughout the US except for Arizona, Texas and Florida. Each citrus producing state, including California, prohibits importation of citrus trees from other areas. Customers from Arizona, Texas and Florida can order non-tree Citrus Related Items here. We do not ship any items to the Virgin Islands, USVI, Guam, Puerto Rico or to API/APO addresses, or to other countries at this time.

What about Alaska and Hawaii?

UPS requires its 2nd Day Air rate for shipments to Alaska and Hawaii even though it may take 4 to 6 days. We add that rate charge to our regular shipping and handling costs. Due to Agriculture restrictions, we ship only the bare root Two-Three Year trees to Hawaii - not the One Year trees in the soil mix.  Please call to request US Priority mail service if that delivery method is preferable for you in AK or HI.

How do I know when my order is shipped?

A UPS Tracking Number will be sent to the e-mail address provided for the recipient. Please be sure that a viable email address appears in both sections of the order form: Billing and Shipping.  You can follow your shipment at UPS Package Tracking.

What if I have additional instructions regarding my order?

Please send an e-mail request to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Please reference your order number for faster service.

How are the trees packed when shipped?

The One Year trees are shipped in 4 x 6” plastic pots and come one to a box. If you order more than one tree, the boxes will be taped together to form one package.

The Two-Three Year trees can be packaged with either 1 or 2 trees in one box. When bundled together, the roots and leaves may appear as one tree. Gently separate the trees before planting.

Will they arrive in good condition?

A: We pack them with utmost care and have had great success in shipping. If your tree is damaged in transit, or arrives in poor condition for any reason, we will replace it. Please contact us immediately if there is a problem. We use our discretion for winter shipment to avoid freezing in transit.

What is your replacement policy?

We replace trees that are damaged in shipping or arrive in poor condition. We guarantee that our citrus trees will be healthy and free of disease when we send them. We provide detailed growing instructions online and also include a How to Grow booklet with every order, so you have all the information you need to be successful. We are also available for phone support, but it is up to you to provide the optimal conditions and care for your tree.