We want to plant some evergreens on our property, but notice that most affordable evergreens are like only 6 - 12" in hight. These run anywhere from $1 to about $6. We found some that are 12 - 18" for $3 - $4.

What we are looking for are trees that are from 3 - 5' tall when shipped, but not at the cost of $30 - $50 each. I have yet to find such. We would like to get 15 to 20 trees so you can see why we are looking for some that are more affordable.

The trees we're looking for are medium - fast growers like White Pines, Canadian Hemlock, Douglas Fir, Norway Spruce.
I have looked at Thuja Green Giant but these seem to be a type of Cedar hybrid and we have a lot of Western Red Cedar here - but it's mainly on the south end of the property and we want some 'greens on the north end (our house is on the north end about 175' in from the road on 8 acres).
Does anyone know of any nurseries that sell 3 - 5' tall trees of these types for, say, under $20 each?
If not we will probably get trees from arborday.org - these seem to be the most affordable but it seems all their evergreens are shipped 6" - 12" .......

I have bad news on the side of 'affordable'. All you can do is look at cost at reputable companies in your area and it is far from cheap!

I have been looking into affordable trees also. My problem is the fact that our city saw fit to cut down my two old trees that lined the street. I don't want twigs in my front yard, but shopped this one. Two shade trees that don't look like twigs are going to cost me hundreds of dollars. No way around it!

The advice I may be able to help you with, don't use pines. They seem to suddenly die, for no reason. Spruce is a better option.

I wasn't able to edit my post, so forgive me!

Given my pines grew fast, but suddenly died, I fell in love with the Spruce trees. There are many varieties of Spruce, which may not grow as quickly as you wish, but so worth it in the long run. I have several varieties of spruce that never failed me.

If all you can afford right now is a small tree, buy it! You will never regret, as I don't. They will grow to long lived beautiful evergreens, just don't go for a pine. Spruce trees are a good option long term.

Blue Spruce was something I just liked and it finally looks like a beautiful tree! I believe my kids grew much faster than a Blue Spruce. Put this tree somewhere that you are a bit more patient with growth. This one is a known slow grower.

There many other fantastic varieties of evergreen that I think you will like, but my experience says go with spruce trees. I do advise listening to your local nursery of advice. They sell trees that work with your climate with good advice.

You can look it up at your library and find a good choice for your location. I will warn you, no book is going to tell you what is known of evergreens where you live. Some just don't make it too well while others thrive. That is why I say not to ignore your local nursery advice of evergreen.

You will find it expensive something that even resembles a tree or just wait until something that looks like a small shrub grows into a tree, as I did. You will not regret it!

Right after Christmas day live trees go on sale. Many of the species you have mentioned are sold as "Christmas trees" come in pots, some are decorated most go on super sale the week after Christmas. Each year were buy a couple three, they can be as tall as 3' -4' tall. We plant them asap. If you live in the frozen east/north you can keep them until spring in pots - lots of sun, lots of water.

If you have a good green thumb and can pull a plant/tree back from the brink of death the longer you wait to buy the tree means the lower the price as the store/nursery attempts to dump its stock on the public.

Although most pines can be grown just about everywhere, the number of trees you are planning on planting and the size of the acreage you are looking at most likely means that you would do best to go with a variety that is native to your area. A variety that is adapted to the amount or lack of water, soil conditions, blah will work best - unless you have irrigation systems and feel like digging huge pits to amend the soil.

The price of trees has more to do with how big the are than species (in most cases) there are reasons why small trees are cheaper to get than large ones - weight and shipping space. Further many varieties of tree although strong enough to endure the trip when small, become less able to handle the stress of cross country travel when feet tall.

6" to 12" is really your best bet when it comes to shipping and planting the tree. Not only do you get to dig a much smaller hole, you also don't have to amend as much soil.

Most people think you can take a root ball, dig a hole about the same side, dump tree ball in cover and water and walk away. That is one of the harder ways to kill a tree, I prefer to use a chain saw and get it over with.

If on the other hand you desire to plant a tree that will root strong, you need to dig the pit twice as large as the root ball, amend the soil with composted material, refill partially (until the crown of the tree is even with the ground) fill in a little, tamp the soil, fill in some more, soak with water, fill in some more, tamp the soil, etc layering the soil around the exposed root ball with lots of water. This will help reduce the shock of transplanting (which kills plenty of trees) and creates a "pot" of soil which is highly nutritive for the tree and will feed the tree for the first 2, 3 years until its root system spreads out into the native soil.

Tree farms can and do take the higher risk of planting trees with all the ceremony, they also plant hundreds at a time and can absorb the loss of a percentage of those easily.

The first 1-2 years of growth will be below ground as the root system takes hold once that happens pines and firs will grow fast and tall in a few years.

Try here, you may find something you like...