Frequently Asked Questions
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We ship to all U.S. states except Hawaii and Alaska. We do not ship to Canada or any international addresses due to agricultural restrictions.
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Orders are packed and shipped on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Most gifts arrive in 2 to 5 business days with standard shipping. Rush service by UPS Second Day Air usually arrives in 1 to 2 days. Tracking is provided.
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Yes, we can make changes to the name or shipping address. Just send us the changes in an email. Please note: we can only make changes in our third-party shipping program. We cannot make changes on your order since that information is protected by Squarespace (our host site).
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As you can probably imagine, we send out a lot of memorial gift trees and customers ask us:
“When is the best time to send a memorial gift tree?” Ultimately, it’s up to you. Some people want them sent immediately, to arrive in time for a funeral or memorial service. Our favorite time to send a memorial tree is a week or two after the service, or even later.When there is a loss, it’s natural to want to respond immediately, to let friends or family members know that we are thinking of them. But the truth is, loss is overwhelming, and there is so much going on in the first days and weeks. But don’t think too much about it. And especially, do not worry. Ultimately we tell people, trust that your gift will arrive at just the right time.
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Yes, our gift trees can be planted in a container and kept outside until spring. They can survive in an adequately sized pot for several years. Please see the Tree Care section on our website for more details.
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We will choose a tree variety that is appropriate for the USDA Plant Hardiness growing zone it is being shipped to. To learn more, visit the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones website.
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We prefer to choose the variety so that we can select the very best from what is available at the time. If you have a preference, you’ll be prompted to make a request during the purchasing process. We’ll do our best to accommodate.
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We offer a variety of evergreen gift trees including American Arborvitae, Arizona Cypress, Canadian Hemlock, Colorado Blue Spruce, Eastern Red Cedar, Leyland Cypress, Norway Spruce, Western Red Cedar, and White Pine. Not all tree types are available all year long.
Please keep in mind that since this is a living product, each gift tree will be unique and will not look exactly alike. Also, please remember that trees go through seasonal changes so each variety will change its look depending on the time of year. To learn more about these varieties, please visit our Tree Types page.
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Yes. Every Little Sap includes simple planting and care instructions. For more detail, visit our Tree Care page.
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A good rule of thumb is to water when you first plant it and then during dry spells. Soil should be slightly moist, but not soggy.
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Not necessarily. Many evergreen varieties bronze or fade in winter, then green up in spring. All trees need a natural dormancy period to stay healthy.
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No. Little Saps are outdoor trees and need fresh air, light, and changing seasons. You can display your tree indoors for up to 5 days, but then it must be moved outside.
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Choose one with drainage holes. Around 1 gallon works for saplings 12–18 inches tall. Go larger if your sapling is bigger. Avoid oversized planters, which can overwhelm the root system when the soil is wet and cause root rot.
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Repot every 1–2 years into a slightly larger planter so roots have room to grow. On average, Little Saps need a permanent home in the ground within 3–5 years. When you transplant, choose a soil mix with slow release fertilizer or add in your own.
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Use a mix that supports drainage: ½ potting soil (ideally with slow-release fertilizer) and ½ pine bark mulch. Straight potting soil holds too much moisture for tree roots.
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Plant so the top of the root plug is level with or just below the mulch and soil surface. Keep the soil no more than 1 inch below the rim of the planter.
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Keep it outside in a sunny, protected spot year-round, even in winter.
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It may be experiencing stress. Water deeply, check soil drainage, and avoid fertilizer until it adjusts. If you are concerned, reach out. Our team is here to help, and your Little Sap is backed by our 30-day replacement promise.
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Plant in spring, summer, or fall when the soil is not frozen. Choose a sunny spot with room to grow. Dig a hole about twice the size of the root plug and plant so the top of the root plug is level with or just below the soil surface. Water well and mulch around the base, keeping mulch away from the trunk. If your Little Sap is smaller than 18 inches, let it grow in a planter first before moving it into the ground.