Where can I find Chinese Elm trees that can be shipped right away?

Question:I want to plant Chinese Elm trees to form a hedge to block out my neighbors ugly fence and I would like to get them in the ground ASAP. If it helps any, I live in WI.

Answers:
It is currently very hot and dry. Your best bet if you need to plant NOW is to find a tree at a local nursery. They are most likely putting trees on sale right now, because keeping stock this time of year is a very labor-intensive thing - potted or balled & burlaped trees must be water daily in this kind of heat. Pick one out, take it right home and plant it. Then water it by putting a hose at the bas of the tree, over the rootball, and turning it on to a SLOW trickle for an hour every 4 days or so. That ensures that the water penetrates the rootball, and eases the shock.

To ship a tree, it must be dormant to have a chance of surviving. Trees just aren't dormant in June in this hemisphere. Even if you could find a seller willing to ship, your chances of receiving a healthy tree are very slim.

Better even than planting now, would be to wait and plant this fall. Chances of seeing your tree through transplant shock and get it established are much better then.