phone: 269-979-4252mend morse nursery to anyone looking to improve their property for wildlife...

www.MorseNursery.com Phone: 269-979-4252

1 ft.

2 ft.

4 ft.

In fall 2005, QDMA received a house-warming gift for our newly constructed National Headquarters in Georgia – four con-tainerized hybrid oak seedlings from Charlie Morse of Morse Nurseries in Michigan. Charlie admitted he wasn’t sure how these trees would fare in the heat of the South, far from their native grounds, but that was part of his reason for sending them – an experiment of sorts.

What are hybrid oaks? Oaks are known to naturally hybridize by pollinating across species, producing fertile offspring with characteristics of both parents. White oaks are especially prone to hybrid-ize with other members of the white oak family. Experts have noted that some offspring exhibit “hybrid vigor,” which means a faster-growing tree. Some observers say they have also noted heavier acorn crops, larger acorns, earlier acorn production, or combinations of these attri-butes. Experts study the physical characteristics of hybrids to try to determine the parent species, but sometimes this is an educated guess. Charlie sent QDMA two “bodacious bur” oaks (thought to be a cross between

Hybrid Surprise

8 ft.

9 ft.

Still Growing The final size of the young “sergeant oak” acorns is not yet known. The photos on this page were taken on August 21.

bur oak and swamp white oak), a burgambels oak (bur x gambels), and a ser-geant oak (English x white). Sprouted by Charlie from acorns in spring 2005, they were planted in winter 2006.

This spring, the third growing season since plant-ing, brought a surprise – tiny acorns on two ofthe trees. A bodacious burbore two acorns, whichwere since aborted dur-ing a summer dry spell (acommon survival strategyamong oaks). The sergeantoak, meanwhile, bore 15immature acorns; ninewere aborted, leaving six tomature. Hearing the report, Charlie was pleased withthe progress of his experi-ment. Even in Michigan, itis uncommon for 4-year-oldhybrids to bear acorns, hesaid. Acorns at six years istypical. He speculates thatGeorgia’s significantly lon-ger growing season isplaying a role.

Plastic Tree Tube 4-foot tree shelters like this one protect seedlings from browsing deer, rubbing bucks and other pests. They also encourage faster vertical growth by dimming available sunlight except at the top. All seedlings at QDMA headquarters are in tree shelters.

Reprinted with permission from QDMA’s Quality Whitetails magazine.

Morse Nurseries supports the Quality Deer Management Association and recommends their customers join QDMA to learn more

about improving deer habitat.

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Fax this form to: 706-353-0223Or Mail to: QDMA, P.O. Box 160, Bogart, GA 30622 Phone Orders: 800-209-3337Web Orders: www.QDMA.com

Morse Nurseries.indd 1 10/1/09 3:03:32 PM

Tree Tubes are sold at Morse Nursery

1 www.morsenursery.com 269-979-4252 www.facebook.com/morsenursery

Hello, I’m Charlie Morse, thank you for requesting a catalog from us.

At Morse Nursery we grow fruit, nut and berry producing trees and shrubs for wildlife habitat improvement and/or personal enjoyment. Planting trees and shrubs that produce fruit, nuts or berries makes sense as they are a renewable resource and pay for themselves by producing food for many years. Our growing techniques of air root pruned seedlings and RootTrapper containers help our plants get established and produce food faster!

Almost everything we grow is either in a jiffy forestry pellet or RootTrapper container and are not bareroot plants. These containerized plants are much different than bareroot plants in that they are not in transplant shock which can take a bareroot plant three years to recover from. Our plants are delivered with the soil they have been growing in and once planted don’t have to “recover” so they start growing right away. You start to see results right away! This is what I mean when I say “Wildlife, coming to a tree near you…….sooner!”I hope you enjoy reading this brochure as much as I have in producing it.

Because our plants are containerized we can ship year round at your convenience. This catalog does not reflect our inventory so please check our website www.morsenursery.com for availability or call us at 269-979-4252. It’s best to place orders no later than March for best availability as some items start to sell out for spring shipments.

We are happy to help with your selections.

www.morsenursery.com 269-979-4252 www.facebook.com/morsenursery 2

Dear Morse Nursery,I ordered Johnny Come Lately Seedlings from you and re-ceived them Spring 2008. They were 3 to 4 inches tall when I received them. I wanted to let you know now September 2008 these trees are 4 feet an over 4 foot tall. They are doing EXCELLENT. I am literally amazed at the FAST GROWTH! Thank you so much for a quality product.

Phil Smith Indiana

Dear Charlie, I was looking over our Hybrid Oak Trees we planted at QDMA Headquarters in Athens Georgia fall of 2006. I was SHOCKED to see Tiny Acorns on a tree I planted 3 years ago as seedlings!

Lindsay Thomas Jr. QDMA Headquarters

Dear Morse Nursery,I planted your Hybrid Oaks in 2006 hoping the trees would start producing acorns earlier than 25 years. Well I didn’t have to wait long in 2008 the trees started producing acorns. The trees were 2 years old when I planted them in 2006 and are now 4 years old. I would recom-mend Morse Nursery to anyone looking to improve their property for wildlife habitat and doesn’t want to wait 25 years for results. Robert Hintzke Franklin, Wisconsin

Dear Morse Nursery,I want to Thank You for helping me realize my dream of planting 500 Oak Trees On my Farm, along with Apple Trees. I purchased my first large order of seedlings about half of these are already out of their 5 foot tubes. You have provided me with excellent planting stock and advice on tree varieties, and planting tech-niques..

Thank you,Bud Lake, September 2008

Springport, Michigan

Bringing Wildlife to a Tree Near You Sooner!12300 Betz Road, Battle Creek, MI 49015Phone 269-979-4252 • www.MorseNursery.comwww.facebook.com/morsenursery

“At 66 years old I don’t have a lifetime to wait for results.”

Charlie Morse


MORSE NURSERY GROWS AND BREEDS PLANTS FOR WILDLIFE HABITAT AND/OR PERSONAL ENJOYMENT!We have plants grown for their unique wildlife attributes such as, large nuts, small nuts, leaf retention, early acorn or fruit drop, late acorn or fruit drop, early branching habit, early acorn or fruit producing, fruit keeping, taste, cold hardiness, wet sites, dry sites, sandy to clay soils, wide range of pH adaptability plus they are container grown, roots air pruned or trapped to pro-mote lateral rooting. This helps improve your success of estab-lishing seedlings because air pruned or trapped roots store en-ergy and this stored energy helps new roots explode into the top soil when they’re planted. These containerized plants avoid transplant shock, so you can see results sooner!

HYBRID PLANTS – Hybrid Plants are naturally occurring crosses created by open pollina-tion that are frequently written about and have been known for years. Hybrids are nature’s way of evolving and adapting to a changing world

often becoming superior to its pure species parents. Hybrids are simply plants that have naturally cross pollinated in the wild producing a cross of the two or more parents to produce a new species. These hybrids demonstrate a biological vigor that is hard to explain. For example a typical white oak may take 25 years to produce acorns and a bur oak the same amount of time, but when crossed, white oak and bur oak (Quercus alba x macrocarpa) become a Bebb’s Oak. Bebb’s oaks have been known to produce acorns at a very early age 4-8 years from seed, WOW! I’m not sure how Mother Nature does the math but I like the answer! This hybrid is superior to both its parents in many ways. First, acorn production at an earlier age, next the white oak improves the sweetness of the bur oak acorns and the bur oak improves the reliability of the white oaks notorious intermittent-ly poor acorn production. The result is a superior hybrid oak as it relates to improving wildlife habitat. Plant breeders have used hybrids to produce new plants for years. Some scientists have devoted their lives to produce, for example, Pear trees that produce tiny pears that won’t lit-ter your yard. These ornamentals are fantastic accomplishments for the landscape industry but are of little value when it comes to feeding wildlife. The same science used to grow trees and shrubs that produce no mess in your yard is the same used to grow trees genetically programmed to do just the opposite. To simply put it, these are trees that are hard to walk un-der because there is so much food on the ground, branches so heavily loaded with food that they hang down under their own weight or produce food at an earlier age!

VISITING MORSE NURSERYWe are asked many times a year “What are your hours?” Hun-dreds of customers a year visit our nursery to pick their plants up and we look forward to seeing our friends every year, how-ever, we are not a garden center and have no “Retail hours.” As the grower, we are not set up for browsing or shopping kinds of retail activities. Orders can be placed before your scheduled arrival by phone, catalog or on our website. Most orders are shipped, but if you’re going to pick up your plants make sure you schedule your arrival date with us before you come as we will have your plants packaged and ready for you ahead of time. Nursery tours are not given, as this is a working farm filled with many hazards making it impractical for customers to walk around safely. Directions page 24.

WHAT IS A JIFFY CONTAINER & ROOTTRAPPER CONTAINER? WHY AIR PRUNING OR TRAPPING?The picture on the left is a Jiffy Pellet showing air pruned roots, and the picture on the right is a Root Trapper container. Seed-lings are air root pruned which forces the plant to grow more lateral facing roots than it would naturally. Lateral roots allow the plant to uptake nutrients and moisture, more lateral roots have been linked to trees that produce fruit and nuts sooner. When we shift an air-pruned plant into a larger container to grow it longer we use Root Trapper containers. Root Trapper containers have as special double spun bound fabric laminated to the inside. When the air pruned seedling roots come in con-tact with the sidewall of this container, instead of circling they wiggle into the fabric and become trapped. This trapped root signals the root behind the tip to grow more lateral roots con-tinuing the process that air pruning started through trapping.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Hello, this is Charlie Morse. At 66 years old I don’t have a lifetime to wait for results.”

RootTrapper ContainerJiffy Container

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS


** See Page 8 for Prices

TREES Oaks Dwarf Chinkapin (Michigan Strain)....... 9

Dwarf Chinkapin Oak

(Canadian Strain) zone 2.................. 9

Hybrid Oaks A Hybrid Oak Collection................. 16

Bebb’s Oak....................................... 6

Bimundors Oak................................ 6

Bodacious Bur.................................. 6

Bur x Chestnut Oak.......................... 7

Bur English........................................ 7

Bur x Gamble Late........................... 7

Bur x Gamble Oak............................ 7

Chinkapin x Chestnut Oak............... 8

English Fastigate.............................. 9

English Wide.................................... 9

Jack Oak........................................ 17

Morse Hybrid Oak.......................... 18

Morse Swamp White Oak.............. 18

Ooti Bebbs Oak............................. 19

Sargent Oak #5.............................. 20

Sargent Oak #7.............................. 20

Sauls Oak....................................... 20

Sawtooth........................................ 20

Schuettes Oak................................ 21

Ware............................................... 23

Larger Instant Oaks................................... 17

FRUIT Three Times a Charm “TTC”............ 22

**Arkansas Black......................... 5, 22

Cider/Hard Cider........................ 8, 22

Enterprise....................................... 22

Golden Delicious............................ 16

Goldrush........................................ 22

**Grimes Golden............................ 22

Honeycrisp..................................... 22

Jonafree......................................... 22

Liberty............................................ 22

Redfree.......................................... 22

Snowsweet..................................... 22

Sweet Sixteen................................ 22

Wolf River................................. 22, 24

Yellow Delicious............................. 22

Zestar.............................................. 22

Edible & Crab Apples for Wildlife Chestnut Crab.................................. 8

Crab Apple Collection..................... 9

Dolgo............................................... 9

Double Red...................................... 9

Hyslop............................................ 16

Johnny Come Lately....................... 17

Kerr................................................. 17

Morse Big Crab.............................. 18

Nova Scotia.................................... 19

Red Crab Bunches & Bunches......... 7

Thicket Crab................................... 23

Whitney Crab................................. 24

Yellow Crab Bunches & Bunches..... 7

Pear Bartlett Pear..................................... .5

Comice Pear..................................... 8

Hybrid Pear..................................... 16

Kieffer Pear..................................... 17

Seckel Pear..................................... 21

Wild Pear........................................ 24

OTHER FRUIT

Apache Blackberry........................... 5

Catawba Grape................................ 7

Concord Grape................................ 8

Cornelian Cherry.............................. 8

Grafted Persimmon........................ 16

Meader Persimmon........................ 18

Morse Apricot................................. 18

Morse Persimmon.......................... 18

Morse Persimmon Female.............. 18

Mulberry......................................... 19

Pin Cherry....................................... 20

Stanley Plum.................................. 21

Sweet Cherry.................................. 21

CHESTNUTS & OTHER NUTS American/Chinese Chestnut............ 5

Chinese Chestnut............................. 8

Colossal x Okei................................ 8

Dwarf Korean Chestnut.................... 9

Grafted Chestnuts ......................... 16

Hazelnut American/Beak................ 16

Layeroka......................................... 17

CONIFERS Norway Spruce............................... 19

Tamarack........................................ 21

White Spruce.................................. 23

ORNAMENTALS WITH WILDLIFE VALUE Flowering Dogwood...................... 16

Washington Hawthorne.................. 23

SHRUBS Alder................................................ 5

American Highbush Cranberry......... 5

Apache Blackberry........................... 5

Arrowwood Viburnum...................... 5

Bayberry........................................... 6

Black Choke Berry............................ 6

Cornelian Cherry.............................. 8

Dwarf Chinkapin (Michigan Strain)....... 9

Dwarf Chinkapin Oak

(Canadian Strain) zone 2.................. 9

Blue Elderberry................................ 6

Hazelnut American/Beak................ 16

Nanking Cherry.............................. 19

Nannyberry.................................... 19

Ninebark........................................ 19

Northern Bay Berry......................... 19

Redosier Dogwood........................ 20

Silky Dogwood............................... 21

Spicebush....................................... 21

Staghorn Sumac............................. 21

Thicket Plum.................................. 23

Thicket Crabapple......................... 23

Thicket Serviceberry....................... 23

Thicket Willow................................ 23

PLANTING AIDS Mycor Tree Saver............................ 11

Nutri-Pak Time Release Fertilizer.... 11

Planting Instructions....................... 10

Tree Protectors/Shelters (Tree Tubes)... 11

Vinyl Tree Wraps............................. 11

ABOUT MORSE NURSERY FAQ Customer Testimonials.................... 2

Hybrid Plants................................ 1, 3

Jiffy Forestry & Root

Trapper Containers..................... 3

Order Form.............................. 14, 15

Policies........................................... 13

Pricing and Ordering Information.. 12

Seedlings vs. Cloned

Plants Explained....................... 24

Why We Don’t Grow

Plants By Size............................ 24

Directions....................................... 24

This is a great naturalizing plant for wet areas along streams or around ponds. Provides great cover and browse and is easy to establish thick-ets with this plant. Bucks will stage in these thickets just before dark and rubs are very common.

ALDER +

Zones: 3-6Specialization: NaturalizingSoil Type: Widely adaptableSoil Moisture: Wet to Moist

Growth Rate: Very fast

This American Chestnut is located on a very old and exclusive country club in Battle Creek, Michigan. This old fellow has managed to resist the chestnut blight and appears to be at least 100 years old! Seedlings are grown from seed collected from this tree and are pollinated by nearby Chinese Chestnuts. Hopefully, these seedlings will exhibit more blight re-sistance than even that of the parent tree. Before chestnut blight wiped out our American Chestnuts, whitetails relied heavily upon the abundant large, sweet nuts as a dietary staple, enjoying them even more than white oak acorns. Plant a few of these Chestnuts and you will discover that they are an incredible whitetail draw, right up there with apples! Take the time now to enhance your property with an additional mast crop that was once one of the monarchs of the forest.

AMERICAN/CHINESE CHESTNUT +

Zones: 3-8Specialization: The original whitetail food

Can Produce Fruit In: 5-7 yearsFruit/Nut Size: Large-Sweet-Edible

This plant is colonial propagated from the largest Cranberry bush I’ve ever seen in the wild! What this means for you is that seedlings will be exact clones of this bush. Abun-dant red fruit, with berries persist-ing into the winter that are eaten here on our farm by pheasants, tur-keys, whitetails, rabbits and birds.The suckering habit of this plant will form very nice cover or visual screens and is browse tolerant. Browsing will actually stimulate the plant to put out more branches. Highbush Cranberry will grow in a wide variety of soil types. Here’s a little tip for thicker screens: In the fall, lay down some of the branches and pin them to the ground with a landscape staple. Where the branch makes contact with the ground is where a new plant will take root. Over time, you can build screening as thick as any hedge with this method.

AMERICAN HIGHBUSH CRANBERRY ++

Zones: 2-8Specialization: Thicket forming with berries

Soil Type: Wide RangeCan Produce Fruit in: First year

Fruit/Nut Size: Small

Most people wouldn’t think of using a blackberry as a shrub to screen food plots, or to use along a forest edge, but this plant is nothing short of un-believable! It can grow to 8’ in one year and retain its leaves throughout the winter, making it an ideal browse plant. Apache Blackberry can serve as a great border shrub or a cover plant, all while providing great food for humans or wildlife. Fruits from this plant are enormous, averaging 9.5 grams each, and this plant will sucker to produce new vines, which can be moved to other locations or left to allow dense thickets. The Apache Blackberry doesn’t technically fall under the definition of “Shrub”, but with performance like this, we’ll let you decide on your own!

APACHE BLACKBERRY ++

Zones: 4-8Specialization: Food and cover

Soil Type: Widely adaptableSoil Moisture: Well Drained

Can Produce Fruit In: 2 yearsFruit/Nut Size: Huge

+ = non-grafted selection ++ = non-grafted, cuttings or grafted selection +++ = grafted selection only


Bartlett pears are very well-liked by wildlife, as well as being great for eating out of hand. This pear tree is also self-pollinating, making it easy to grow and produce fruit. Pear trees are generally very drought tolerant and easier to grow than apple trees, making them ideal for both orchards and out of the way food plots. You can expect very vigorous growth rates of up to 3-4’ per year.

BARTLETT PEAR ++

Zones: 4-8Specialization: Can produce fruit in 3-5 yrs

Soil Type: Sandy to ClaySoil Moisture: Well Drained

Growth Rate: Fast

I have been asked by many of our southern customers to offer up graft-ed Arkansas Black Apples because of their low chill hours need to produce fruit. This apple ripens in October and drops through November here in Michigan. Excellent eating and storing apple and interestingly de-velop a sweeter taste the longer they lay on the ground or on your shelf. Deer will dig these out of the show long after they have fallen for their sweet treat!

ARKANSAS BLACK +++

Zones: 4-8Specialization: Late DropSoil Type: Wide Range

Soil Moisture: Well Drained

This plant grows in the form of a cov-er plant that is just great for Whitetail bedding areas! Arrowwood Virbur-num is stimulated when browsed to grow more branches. It produces berries in partial shade, and one of its more interesting features is that Indians made arrows from its very straight stems, thus the name “Ar-rowwood”. Bowhunters can use this plant to feed whitetails and them-selves, if you follow my thinking!

ARROWWOOD VIBURNUM ++

Zones: 2-8Specialization: Suckers, Colonizes

Soil Type: Wide RangeSoil Moisture: Well Drained

Can Produce Fruit In: 2 yearsGrowth Rate: Medium



Bayberry is a tough plant that will grow even in poor soils. It has the ability to fix nitrogen from the atmo-sphere to encourage its growth. This shrub retains most of its leaves in the winter, making this plant one of the best shrubs for screens!

BAYBERRY +

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Colonizes-Nitrogen Fixing

Soil Type: Any including poor soilsSoil Moisture: Moist to Dry

Can Produce Fruit In: 2-3 yearsFruit/Nut Size: Small

Growth Rate: Medium to fast

This is simply a terrific find for me and you! This tree is within a whisker of being Michigan’s state champion. Acorns can develop on these hybrids as soon as 4-8 years. Bebbs Oak is a cross between a White Oak and a Bur Oak. This oak produces sweet acorns preferred by whitetails every year. Just look at the size and age of this tree and you know your seedlings are getting some fantastic genes! I will be planting some of these seedlings here on my own farm….that’s how impressed I am!

BEBB’S OAK HYBRID +

Zones: 3-9Specialization: Produces acorns young

Soil Type: Widely adaptableSoil Moisture: Wide range (no standing water)

Can Produce Fruit in: 4-8 yearsFruit/Nut size: Medium-Very Sweet

Growth Rate: VigorousPrecocious Bearing: Yes

This hybrid is from our Native White Oak and the very long-lived English Oak. English Oaks have been known to reach the ripe old age of 1,000 years, and this characteristic of long-lived genes, combined with our White Oak has got to be a huge plus in terms of producing healthy seed-lings in combination with the added benefits of hybridization! This hybrid has the additional benefit of being alongside another Bidmundors Oak with the same characteristics, making the seedlings much more likely to be true F-1 prospects from seed! I have often asked myself, how is it that Battle Creek, MI has so many interesting trees? I’ve become convinced through my research that Dr. Kellogg (from Kellogg’s Cereal fame) had something to do with it. Dr. Kellogg brought a number of black squirrels to the city and those animals may have brought the diversity of English Oaks in their cheeks that we see today. These hybrids produced very heavy amounts of sweet acorns and are annual producers! If you are looking for fast, annual-producing oaks, then this should be on your short list of must-plant hybrid oaks.

BIMUNDORS OAK HYBRID +

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Acorns early

Soil Type: Wide RangeCan Produce Fruit In: 4-8 years

Fruit/Nut Size: AverageGrowth Rate: Fast

Precocious Bearing: Yes

Chokeberry; while it sounds awful, they’re actually very good. A great plant for cover, but produces food, too! Just take a look at the size of the fruit on this selection. The fruit is extremely large for chokeberry, and is the reason that I have propa-gated this species from cuttings to insure you will get the same results from your shrub. This plant grows as a shrub, often forming dense thick-ets by way of root suckers. Fantastic for borders, stream banks, and road-sides. It’s great for cover, browse and berries enjoyed by birds including turkeys, pheasants, and people! The berries can easily be made into jam or jellies. While you’re looking at this shrub, consider pairing it with Arrowwood Viburnum!

BLACK CHOKE BERRY ++

Zones: 4-9Specialization: Large fruit size

Soil Type: Wide RangeSoil Moisture: Prefers moist

Can Produce Fruit In: First yearFruit/Nut size: Nearly 1/2 inch

Growth Rate: Fast

You have got to hear this! When I discovered this tree in 2002 it pro-duced 750 lbs of acorns, 550 lbs in 2003 and 1070 lbs in 2004, After eval-uating for three years I was hooked, sold and in love. The branches lit-erally droop from the weight of the acorns. I’ve never seen anything like this Bur Oak before for prolific acorn production. The biological vigor of this tree can only be explained by it being a naturally occurring hybrid. It appears that it might be crossed with a Swamp White Oak. Bur x Swamp White Oaks are referred to as Schuettes Oak and have been writ-ten about and well documented for their ability to produce acorns at an early age. I really like Bur Oak hybrids for wildlife plantings because of their ability to out-compete every grass and weed in any site, period! This is one very competitive tree that you won’t need to pamper, ideal for anyone with the desire, but not neces-sarily the time to devote to their plantings.

BODACIOUS BUR HYBRID +

Zones: 3-9Specialization: Can produce fruit in 4-8 yrs

Soil Type: Widely adaptableSoil Moisture: Moist to Dry

Growth Rate: FastFruit/Nut Size: Huge

Height 5, Width 12. Elderberry is a large suckering shrub excellent for wildlife habitat. Fruit makes great jel-ly or wine. There is lots of talk about deer beds in the Whitetail commu-nity. Some of the components need-ed for deer beds are this 10-12 foot overhead canopy which Elderberry provides. Plus it has the ability to grow in filtered light and on edges.

BLUE ELDERBERRY ++

Zones: 3-9Soil Moisture: Moist

Fruit/Nut Size: Small red berriesSpecialization: Cover and FoodSpecialization: Can produce fruit

in partial shade


Seed from this Crabapple was col-lected from a stand of perfect 10 year old trees that produce very heavy annual crops. The apple appears to be a type of candied apple, ripening early for a crab and dropping about half of its fruit by mid-October. Plant with Morse Red Crab for both early and late season food availability. I would plant this around food plots, property lines, and under power lines for sure-fire deer attraction!

BUNCHES & BUNCHES OF YELLOW CRABAPPLE +

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Early fruit dropSoil Type: Widely Adaptable

Soil Moisture: Prefers Well DrainedGrowth Rate: Moderate

This is a terrific hybrid. That’s about all I can say in regard to it. Bur oak is a tough tree that can grow almost anywhere. If you have adverse soil conditions, please consider this as a viable option. It has the ability to compete with grasses and weeds during the establishment years, so if you can’t tend to your plots with reg-ularity, please think about this tree as a solution. Bur English oaks have some of the sweetest acorns I have ever tasted, they produce an annual crop, and they will grow almost anywhere!

BUR ENGLISH HYBRID +

Zones: 3-9Specialization: Acorns at an early age

Soil Type: Widely adaptableSoil Moisture: Widely adaptableCan Produce Fruit In: 4-8 years

Fruit/Nut size: Large

Bur x Gamble usually starts ripen-ing with most white oaks in Sep-tember/October. We are pleased to announce a later ripening stain that will extend the acorn drop times by 2/3 weeks. If you look at the picture closely you might be able to see that the acorns in both trays are different colors. One tray is brown in color and are fully ripe, this is when they start to fall from the tree. The second tray if you look closely are still green and are 2-3 weeks away from ripen-ing both were picked the same day. When ordering Bur x Gambel hybrids it would be a great idea to plant both varieties as to have a staggered acorn drop.

BUR X GAMBLE LATE DROP STRAIN +

Zones: 3-7Soil Type: Wide Range

Soil Moisture: Wide Range (no standing water)

Can Produce Fruit In: 4-8 yearsGrowth Rate: Fast


You can have acorns, fast! Bur X Gam-bel is an incredible tree. This hybrid is a unique cross between Bur Oak and Gambel Oak, both in the white oak family, and have sweet acorns produced at an early age. This hybrid cross with Bur Oak will still produce a very large tree, but smaller than our native Bur, with lots of acorns. If you like the sound of this tree, look at our English Wide Oak also! Bur X Gam-bel has reportedly started acorn pro-duction as early as 4 feet in height. As with all hybrids, acorn production usually starts at a much earlier age because of a biological vigor caused by the hybridization. This tree is from Utah Zone 4/5 and is very winter hardy.

BUR X GAMBEL OAK HYBRID +


Soil Moisture: Wide Range (no standing water)




The seed collected from this crabapple is from several trees growing together for the past 15 years. I’ve watched these trees produce very heavy crops every year. The size of the apples is very large for a crab, averaging over 1”, and persists on the trees until spring, making it a fantastic late winter food source. Plant with Morse Yellow Crab for availability throughout the season. Branches are so loaded with apples that they actually hang on the ground! I would use this tree as a bor-der around food plots, property lines, and under powerlines.

BUNCHES & BUNCHES OF RED CRABAPPLE +

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Fruit persists all winter

Soil Type: Widely AdaptableSoil Moisture: Prefers Well Drained

Can Produce Fruit in: 3-5 yearsFruit/Nut size: 1 inch

Growth Rate: ModerateFall Color: Red

Catawba is a light red grape native to the US and thought to be a hybrid of other indigenous varieties. Original-ly discovered along North Carolina’s Catawba River, it is a light red grape. Cuttings come from my good friend Ken Holcomb’s vineyard in “Joppa Valley” of East Leroy, MI. Ken taught me how to make wine and has been making wine in the area for more than 30 years. He’s always been very generous with his time and resourc-es, letting me run around his farm, but it’s hard for even me to get him to part with a bottle of the wine he makes from these Catawbas.

CATAWBA GRAPE ++

Zones: 3-8Can Produce Fruit In: 2-3 years


Very productive and produces large acorns at a young age. This hybrid will grow in a wide range of soils from grassy fields to dry ridges and rocky sites. Parent trees have produced every year and have strong central leaders. Good selection for both tim-ber and acorn production. Seedlings: $12.501 year potted: $16.502 year potted: $20.50

BUR X CHESTNUT OAK +


Soil Moisture: Moist to DryCan Produce Fruit In: 4-8 years

Growth Rate: Fast

The tank of Chestnuts. Very cold, har-dy and blight resistant. These trees are next to a very old and rare Ameri-can Chestnut, and most likely, some of the seedlings have hybridized with this American Chestnut rarity. Very sweet chestnuts that are completely edible by humans, and highly prized by wildlife. Hard to believe, but these nuts are preferred by whitetails over our sweet White Oak acorns!

CHINESE CHESTNUT +

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Large Super Sweet Chestnuts

Soil Type: Well DrainedCan Produce Fruit In: 4-5 years

Fruit/Nut size: Large-Sweet-EdibleFall Color: Yellow to Bronze



These Concord grapes are what we make out family wine from! Grapes are enjoyed by many animals, in-cluding Whitetails, who like the fruit and the foliage. As with all seeded grapes, you get the most intense fla-vors. Grape vines are very long lived, some reaching 75 years and older.

CONCORD GRAPE ++

Zones: 4-9Specialization: Vine

Soil Type: Wide Range

Cornelian Cherry is an interesting dogwood. These shrubs produce a ton of fruit for their size as you can see from the pictures. Grows best in full sun but like many dogwoods will do very well in partial shade mak-ing it a good choice for edges. The game birds love this fruit! The Eu-ropeans are crazy about the fruit as they use it in many of their recipes in some of the best restaurants in Eu-rope. We have made both wine and jam from our fruit and I have to admit it’s a “waiting to be discovered” fruit here in America.

CORNELIAN CHERRY ++

Zones: 4-8Specialization: Bush Cherry

Soil Type: Well DrainedGrowth Rate: Slow

Fruit: Edible

Comice are a late ripening pear that starts dropping its fruit in October, and finishes up in November. It is completely self-pollinating, but gets better fruit sets when planted with another variety of pear. This tree is growing in a low water table loca-tion, looks to be around 50 years old, and has seen its share of wet springs without root rotting problems, mak-ing it an ideal candidate for moist soils, especially in those transition areas between wet and dry ground.

COMICE PEAR +

Zones: 4-8Soil Moisture: Well Drained

to somewhat moistSoil Type: Wide Range

Can Produce Fruit In: 3-5 yearsFruit size: Typical for Pear

Growth Rate: FastSpecialization: Tolerates moist soils

Chestnut Crab is one of the large fruiting selections (2+”), known for its sweet, nutty flavor. It tastes like fresh squeezed apple cider and it’s my favorite apple to eat from my orchard, which has over 25 varieties to choose from! The fruit hangs well into the season and is a great attrac-tant for whitetails. This is a must have for anyone growing large fruiting cra-bapples for wildlife, and it serves as a great pollinator for other apple trees. We add the juice from these crabap-ples to our cider in the fall, and it’s always a big hit with our friends and family. Chestnut Crab just might be the secret ingredient to many blue ribbons given at state fairs for the best cider!

CHESTNUT CRAB ++

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Cold Hardy


Can Produce Fruit In: 3-5 yearsFruit size: 2-3 inchesGrowth Rate: Fast

This hybrid is a cross between two blight resistant chestnut trees that are both noted for producing some of the largest nuts of all Chestnut trees, averaging between 12-18 nuts per pound. These large, sweet nuts are grown for their taste, loved by whitetails, and in just 4-5 years, these trees will start producing from seed-lings! Plant two or more together for cross pollination.

COLOSSAL X OKEI HYBRID CHESTNUT +

Zones: 5-8Specialization: Large Nut Production

Soil Type: Well DrainedGrowth Rate: 2-3 feet per year

Fruit/Nut Size: Huge

You can see from the photo’s the influ-ence of the Dwarf Chinkapin, as this trees has branching all the way down the trunk of the tree. This tree will be a large tree but has the chance of be-ing semi dwarf as well. We planted this hybrid oak out from seeds about 2005. Given to us in a seed exchange from an urban forester from Kansas who is as “nutty” as we are about hybrid oaks. Good find Mr. Forester! Trees produced for us in 5 years here in Michigan.

CHINKAPIN X CHESTNUT OAK +


Soil Moisture: Moist to DryCan Produce Fruit In: 4-8 years

Growth Rate: Fast

Winesap, Golden Russet, Spitzen-burg, Grimes, Golden, Spy, Dabi-nett, Chestnut Crab, and Arkansas Black. Call Nursery for availability before ordering.1 year: $24.502 year: $29.50

CIDER/HARD CIDER APPLE TREES +++


This chestnut is more of a bush rather than a tree. Mature plants grow to about 10’ in height to about 15’ in width. Nuts are very sweet and pro-duce at a young age. Ideal for food plot boarders and around fruit tree orchards as these won’t shade out plants around them.

DWARF KOREAN CHESTNUT +



Growth Rate: FastSpecialization: Small sized tree or bush

English Fastigate is an upright grow-ing hybrid that produces sweet acorns at a very early age and retains its leaves late into the winter. This is a great hybrid to plant around food plots and fruit trees. Because of their upright growth, these oaks won’t shade out your plots or orchard. Oaks and Fruit trees together have not been an option until now!

ENGLISH FASTIGATE HYBRID +

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Fast producer/Leaf retentionSoil Type: Most but thrives in Heavy Clays

Soil Moisture: Most except wetCan Produce Fruit In: 4-8 years

Fruit/Nut Size: Med-LargeGrowth Rate: Fast

This oak has some of the largest, sweetest acorns I have ever found (it’s better than White Oak). The branches are close to the ground and make for easy pickings for White-tails. This oak has a low branching quality that makes it a great screen-ing or border tree. English Oaks can reach 50 feet tall and 50 feet wide! The leaves tend to stay green and not change colors into the fall, which has allowed me to find them in the wilds of Michigan.

ENGLISH WIDE +

Zones: 3-7Specialization: Low branching

Soil Type: Thrives in heavy or clayFruit/Nut Size: Very large sweet

Fall Color: Stays green

Dwarf Chinkapin is a shrubby/bush to small tree form oak that pro-duces acorns in three to five years from seed making it one of the fast-est acorn producing oaks we offer. Acorns are small but very sweet and are preferred by many animals espe-cially turkeys and whitetails. Acorns are very difficult to collect in quan-tity because as a bush, just about ev-ery animal has access to these tasty acorns, making availability of this oak always in short supply. We have to cage ours, then we put netting over the top, set out decoy Owls and big balloons that look like big eye balls to deter the animals from eating all of the acorns. I know, this is starting to sound like we use to walk to school uphill both ways. Sincerely one of my favorite oaks!

DWARF CHINKAPIN (MICHIGAN STRAIN) +

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Bush form early

acorn productionSoil Type: Clay to Sand

Fruit/Nut Size: SmallSoil Moisture: Well Drained


Can’t make up your mind? Order our “Collection” package. This package is simply a collection of all of our dif-ferent types of crabapple trees. Just order the quantity of trees that you want, and we’ll send you a variety of everything that we have growing. We almost called this our “Forrest Gump” package, you never know what you’re going to get! Seriously, this is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to grow some crabapple trees for wildlife. *Available in 1 or 2 year potted only, no seedlings.

CRAB APPLE COLLECTION ++

Zones: 4-8Specialization: Collection


Can Produce Fruit In: 3-5 yearsFruit/Nut size: Various

Growth Rate: Fast

The Dolgo Crabapple has very large, dark purple fruit that is packed with flavor compared to other crabs! These apples make great jellies, and some folks add the juice to ciders as a secret ingredient. The fruit is easy for wildlife to get to, as this crab will drop its fruit during August/Septem-ber (early drop).

DOLGO CRAB +

Zones: 4-8Specialization: Large Crabapple Fruit

Soil Type: Clay to SandyGrowth Rate: Fast


This selection is a very nice addition to our large fruited varieties of cra-bapples. Outside and inside color is red! This is a very productive crab, producing large amounts of fruit ev-ery year, and the fruit drops through-out September, October and No-vember, with additional fruit hanging on well into December. This tree started producing in its third year for us. This would make a great addi-tion to any crabapple selection when building wildlife habitats!

DOUBLE RED +

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Late Drop

Soil Moisture: Well DrainedSoil Type Wide: Range

Can Produce In: 3-5 YearsGrowth Rate: Fast

Canadian Strain is the same plant as Dwarf Chinkapin with the difference of being extremely cold hardy. (Zone 2) Dwarf Chinkapin is a shrubby/bush to small tree form oak that pro-duces acorns in three to five years from seed making it one of the fast-est acorn producing oaks we offer. Acorns are small but very sweet and are preferred by many animals espe-cially turkeys and whitetails. Acorns are very difficult to collect in quantity because as a bush, just about every animal has access to these tasty acorns, making availability of this oak always in short supply. We have to cage ours, then we put net-ting over the top, set out decoy Owls and big balloons that look like big eye balls to deter the animals from eating all of the acorns. I know, this is starting to sound like we use to walk to school uphill both ways. Sincerely one of my favorite oaks!

DWARF CHINKAPIN OAK (CANADIAN STRAIN) +

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Bush form early

acorn productionSoil Type: Clay to Sand

Fruit/Nut Size: SmallSoil Moisture: Well Drained


LOOK FOR THIS LOGO if you are serious about growing mast producing trees or shrubs that produce at an early age (Precocious)! The short explanation is that this logo identifies plants that have been selected to grow fast from seedlings for you because they exhibit genetic traits that are directly linked to growing superior wildlife habitat! I have explained this Logo in more detail on page 3 for those readers that would like a more detailed explanation of exactly what this Logo symbolizes.

You will find the Logo next to the following plants: • Hybrid Plants • Plants cloned from cuttings or grafted

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR ROOT TRAPPER BAGS(See picture of these shown to the right)

1. The plant MUST BE REMOVED FROM THIS BAG BEFORE PLANTING IN THE GROUND.2. Carefully cut from top to bottom the Root Trapper bag and peel back the bag from the roots. Try to remove your plant from the bag with all the soil or as much of the soil and root system as you can intact.3. Insert plant into previously dug hole after you have removed it from the bag. Water your plant twice, once to bring up the air bubbles and then water a second time to settle the soil and ensure it makes good soil contact will all roots.4. Make sure that your plant is not planted too deep or too high. Look for where the old soil line is on your plant and make sure that it is slightly lower 1/4” than level with the ground.5. Larger trees that are 4’-5’ in height should be staked so the root system doesn’t move around during the first year of root establishment.6. Mulch is also an excellent practice for weed control, maintaining moist cool soils and providing an insulation barrier from very cold conditions that allow earlier root development.7. If you are using our pre-packaged slow release fertilizer be sure to bury plastic bag and all 6-8”away and 6’8” deep from the plant.8. Water plants often all summer long, as lack of water in the first year is among the top reasons plants are lost.

If you’re not going to plant all these right away do not worry, you don’t have to! Just water them when they need it. Try to keep them out of the wind so they don’t dry out fast. However, make sure you take them out of the box and out of the clear plastic bags used to hold the soil in place during shipping.

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR JIFFY PELLET PLANTS(See picture of these shown to the right)

1. Jiffy pellets are shipped from Morse Nursery ready to go directly into the ground as is.2. DO NOT remove the paper or mesh from the plant, it is 100% biodegradable. Plant the whole thing in the ground as this prevents transplant shock.3. Plant in the ground up to the top of the plug (not over). If the soil goes over the top of the plug, it can girdle the tree trunk. 4. Fill soil in around the tree gently and water it good. Do not compact the soil with your foot, this can damage the root system.5. Mulch is an excellent practice for weed control, (so the roots do not have to compete with the weeds) plus it helps provide an insulation barrier from very cool conditions, and helps keep moisture in the ground.6. Water plants often all summer long, as lack of water in the first year is among the top reasons plants are lost.

If you’re not going to plant all of these right away, do not worry you don’t have to! Just water them when they need it, try to keep them out of the wind so they don’t dry out fast. However, make sure you take them out of the box and out of the clear plastic bags used to hold the soil in place during shipping.

RootTrapper Bags

Jiffy Pellet Plants


Nutri-Pak Time Release Fertilizer - Easy to use plant whole thing in groundIt is a controlled-release fertilizer. Its composition is ideal for trees and shrubs (16-8-8). It comes in a plastic packet with micro-pores that allow

the fertilizer to be released into the soil at a controlled rate. The contents are dissolved over time by water vapor entering the pores. It is easy to use – no measuring, mixing, or cleaning up. Plant it and forget it. Nutri-Pak fertilizer increases growth rate up to 25 percent. It supplies key nutrients for up to five years and only during the growing season. It eliminates the danger of burning the roots of young trees.

$2.00 each

Tree Protectors/Shelters (Tree Tubes)Our Tree Tube protects and nourishes the tree and they will grow up big and strong. Tree Tubes are designed to give added protection to your trees while providing a “mini-greenhouse” for enhanced growth. Research shows that tree tubes can increase tree height 600 percent in just the first two years. Tree Tubes promote the build up of moisture around the tree. Tree Tubes also promote straightness. They help

prevent the formation of crooked and gnarled trees. Tree Tubes also help prevent the plant from being eaten by wildlife while too young to survive. Tree Tubes usually stay on the tree for 5 to 7 years. Here at the farm we have thousands of the tubes on our trees.

$5.50 each pack of 25 is $137.50 includes shipping. 50 pack is $275.00 including shipping. (Call for large orders over 100 tubes)

Vinyl Tree Wraps - Quick, Easy InstallationProtects young tree trunks from rodent damage and sunscald. Tree wraps are easy to apply and may be removed. They are economical and reusable, and may be used on fruit trees. There are holes punched in material to allow for air and moisture circulation. The tree wrap can be easily cut to make it shorter lengths. To use, start at the base of tree and wrap upward.

$1.25 each*

* These are included in the price of all fruit trees, Apple, Pear, Crabapple• All “Three Times A Charm”• All Pear & Crabapple

NEW!

Mycor® Tree Saver®

This product is designed to reduce transplant stress while improving soil hydration and fertility. Mycor® Tree

Saver® is a biologically active soil conditioner that is applied to the root zone of trees and shrubs at planting time. Five species of mycorrhizal fungi and six species of beneficial bacteria are packed into this formula to improve plant nutrition and soil fertility. The fungi absorb water and minerals for the roots while the bacteria fix nitrogen, solubilize

phosphorus, and biodegrade organic matter making trapped minerals accessible to plants. Mycor® Tree Saver® also contains formononetin, a naturally occurring stimulant of VA mycorrhizal fungi, Terra-Sorb® hydrogel that traps water and holds it in the root zone, and humic acids which improve availability of mineral nutrients. Seaweed meal and yucca plant extract are added as organic nutrients to support establishment of microbial populations.

Mycor® Tree Saver®:• Improves absorption of water and minerals from the soil• Stimulates native and inoculated VAM fungal growth and Colonization of roots• Helps plants mitigate adverse environmental stresses such as drought, salinity, and extremes of soil pH

Must be ordered with plants, as this is how the product is shipped. Comes in 3 oz. packets. One 3 oz. Pack will treat 6 jiffy pellet seedlings or 3 Roottrapper container plants.

$5.00 per package

HoursMonday-Friday, 9:00-5:00 Eastern Standard Time Saturday by appointment for pickupClosed June 1 - September 15 for Production

Our hours may vary due to season. In addition, we are a working farm and may be away from the nursery office working in the field, collecting seed or in our greenhouses. Please call in advance if you are planning to pick up “Preordered” trees.


PRICING AND ORDERING INFORMATIONTerms and PaymentFull payment due when order is placed. We accept Check, Money Order, Discover, Master Card, Visa and AMEX, AMEX + 4%.

Pricing Per Plant - Individual Seedling Cannot be Mixed for quantity price breaks.

Jiffy Containers - Seedlings Minimum Order $75 Number of Trees Purchased 1-7 8 16 32 64 128 ShippingPrice Each Seedlings 11.50 7.50 7.00 6.50 6.00 5.50 1-8 plants $20.00Price Each Seedling “Select” 13.50 9.50 9.00 8.50 8.00 7.50 9-32 plants $30.00 33-64 plants $34.00Root Trapper #5 Container MUST be ordered in groups of 10 for shipping reasons – Individual plant types CAN be combined/mixed to fill a box of 10 and will qualify for quantity price breaks. See Example below.

Root Trapper #5 & #8 Container All Plants, except Non-Grafted Chestnut, Crabapple and Pear (see below for Separate Pricing)Number of Trees Purchased 1-9 10 20-40 50-70 80-90 100+ Shipping1 Year Old price each 16.50 12.50 12.00 11.50 11.00 10.50 $38.00 per 10 plants1 Year Old “Select” price each 18.50 14.50 14.00 13.50 13.00 12.50 $38.00 per 10 plants2 Year Old price each 20.50 16.50 16.00 15.50 15.00 14.50 $48.00 per 10 plants2 Year Old “Select” price each 22.50 18.50 18.00 17.50 17.00 16.50 $48.00 per 10 plants3 Year Old price each 28.50 24.50 24.00 23.50 23.00 22.50 Call Nursery for pricing3 Year Old “Select” each 30.50 26.50 26.00 25.50 25.00 24.50 Call Nursery for pricing

Root Trapper #5 & #8 Container Non-Grafted Crabapples, PearsNumber of Trees Purchased 1-9 10 20-40 50-70 80-90 100+ Shipping1 Year Old price each 17.50 13.50 13.00 12.50 12.00 11.50 $38.00 per 10 plants1 Year Old “Select” price each 19.50 15.50 15.00 14.50 14.00 13.50 $38.00 per 10 plants2 Year Old price each 21.50 17.50 17.00 16.50 16.00 15.50 $48.00 per 10 plants2 Year Old “Select” price each 23.50 19.50 19.00 18.50 18.00 17.50 $48.00 per 10 plants3 Year Old price each 29.50 25.50 25.00 24.50 24.00 23.50 Call Nursery for pricing3 Year Old “Select” each 31.50 27.50 27.00 26.50 26.00 25.50 Call Nursery for pricing

Root Trapper #5 & #8 Container Non-Grafted ChestnutsNumber of Trees Purchased 1-9 10 20-40 50-70 80-90 100+ Shipping1 Year Old price each 19.50 15.50 15.00 14.50 14.00 13.50 $38.00 per 10 plants1 Year Old “Select” price each 21.50 17.50 17.00 16.50 16.00 15.50 $38.00 per 10 plants2 Year Old price each 23.50 19.50 19.00 18.50 18.00 17.50 $48.00 per 10 plants2 Year Old “Select” price each 25.50 21.50 21.00 20.50 20.00 19.50 $48.00 per 10 plants3 Year Old price each 31.50 27.50 27.00 26.50 26.00 25.50 $48 per 10 plants

Root Trapper #5 & #8 Container Grafted Chestnuts - see page 161 Year Old Grafted Chestnuts $35.502 Year Olds Grafted Chestnuts $39.50

Root Trapper #5 & #8 Container All Grafted Fruit Trees Apple, Pear, Crabapple (See Below for Persimmon)Number of Trees Purchased 1-9 10 20-40 50-70 80-90 100+ Shipping1 Year Old Apple Trees each 21.50 17.50 17.00 16.50 16.00 15.50 $38.00 per 10 plants1 Year Old “Select” Apple Trees each 23.50 19.50 19.00 18.50 18.00 17.50 $38.00 per 10 plants2 Year Old Apple Trees each 25.50 21.50 21.00 20.50 20.00 19.50 $48.00 per 10 plants2 Year Old “Select” Apple Trees each 27.50 23.50 23.00 22.50 22.00 21.50 $48.00 per 10 plants3 Year Old Apple Trees each 33.50 29.50 29.00 28.50 28.00 27.50 Call Nursery for pricing3 Year Old “Select” Apple Trees each 35.50 31.50 31.00 30.50 30.00 29.50 Call Nursery for pricing3 Year Old Premium Apple Trees each 43.50 39.50 39.00 38.50 38.00 37.50 Call Nursery for pricing

Root Trapper #5 & #8 Container Grafted Cider and Hard Cider Apples - see page 8 & 22Cider apples, Hard Cider apples 1 Year $24.50 2 Year $29.50

Root Trapper #5 & #8 Container Grafted Persimmons 1 Year Old All Grafted Persimmon Morse Female, Meader, Yates, Ruby, Weber 35.50, Two Year $39.50

4-5 Year Old Priced by Caliper. Hybrid Oaks $100 per caliper inch in Knitted Containers, $60 per caliper inch for Bareroot. Call Nursery for availability.

Example: Potted plants can be combined to fill a box of ten for volume pricing. (Example: 1 Whitney Crab, 3 Red Free, 3 Liberty, 3 Hybrid Oaks) = 10 plants to fill a box. All plants will be priced at the 10 count price.

Select PlantsMorse Nursery is offering the services of Hand picking the very best of our plants for you. We call these plants “Select” and are the best of the best! Many times these genetically “Busier” plants are showing more hybrid vigor than thousands of similar plants! We personally become your eyes at the nursery and hand select these super stars from every species or variety you want. Choose “Select” when only the best will do.

Do you need?Fertilizer, Tree Savers,

Vinyl Tree Wraps, Weed Mats, Tree Wraps

or Tree Tubes?

ASK US

POLICIESShipping – All plants are shipped in their original Jiffy pellet plug or Root trapper container bag with their original soil from the nursery. These plants will not exhibit the traditional transplant shock that bare root plants do. Boxes used for shipping containers are engineered to Morse Nursery’s Industry setting standards. A $20 minimum shipping charge is in effect.

Conditions of Sale - There are two ways plants arrive to you. Active or Inactive!1. Active (Not Dormant) Leafed out or buds swollen and visually alive and growing.2. Inactive (Dormant) No leaves visible or signs of growth activity.Active Plants: Morse Nursery makes no warranty regarding active plants or any other type of guarantee, expressed or implied on active living plants. There is no better proof that your plant is alive and healthy than receiving Active plants! All care must be taken by the customer to insure proper care of the plants once received and accepted. Morse Nursery assumes no liability for loss incurred in labor lost profits or any other related cost to our product. The active living plant received and accepted in good condition concludes all Morse Nursery liabilities. Once active plants are accepted they are accepted in as –is condition with no further negotiable remedies.Inactive Plants: Morse Nursery makes the following guarantee on inactive plants-Inactive plants when received will not have any leaves or swollen buds and will visually appear to be dead and not growing. These inactive plants are in a state of dormancy and there is no way for you to know if you are receiving a live healthy plant. Failure for these inactive plants to leaf out by June 30th will qualify you for a one time replacement plant. Cutoff date for filing claims is June 30th. Replacements will be sent in the fall or following spring. Shipping is not part of our guarantee and shipping must be paid prior to your replacement plants being sent to you. Many customers order plants in the fall and one way to get your replacement plants shipped free is when placing your fall order. We, in many cases, can squeeze in your replacements with your order at no additional charge. After June 30th, Morse Nursery makes no warranty regarding inactive plants or any other type of guarantee, expressed or implied on inactive plants. All care must be taken by the customer to insure proper care of the plants once received and accepted after June 30th. Morse Nursery assumes no liability for cost incurred in labor, lost profits or any other related cost to our product. The inactive plant received and accepted after June 30th concludes all Morse Nursery liabilities. Once inactive plants are accepted on June 30th they are accepted in as-is condition with no further negotiable remedies. We recognized the value of satisfied customers and that is our goal by providing quality plants grown in superior systems. Plant fatalities due to early frost, drought, high temperatures, insects, herbicide drift, animals, neglect and disease to mention a few ways plants are lost is not a reflection on your gardening skills or the fault of Morse Nursery! Good luck, most importantly have fun. We look forward to serving you now and in the future!

Receiving and Acceptance - All shipments must be opened, unpacked and inspected at time of delivery. If you have any problems with quality or number of plants received you should contact us immediately. If for any reason you received a damaged package you must report it to the carrier and refuse deliver. Call Morse Nursery and report the damage and we will reship your replacement order. By acceptance of the nursery stock, the buyer acknowledges that the limitations and disclaimers herein described are the conditions of the sale, and that they constitute the entire agreement between buyer and seller.

Refund/Cancellations - Morse Nursery offers Cheerful refunds when an item is out of stock. Your options would be to accept another item, keep a credit for future use, or receive a refund on the item out of stock. Cancellations must be made prior to shipping and credit card processing for a full refund. Any Cancellations after plants have been shipped will result in return shipping charges and a re-stocking fee of 15%. Orders cancelled after credit card has been processed will result in a 5% administration fee.

Pruning - Some trees are courtesy pruned to fit the boxes preventing “oversized” shipping fee’s.

Minimum Order - A nominal minimum order of $75 is in effect.

Privacy Policy - Sale: Morse Nursery will only use your personal information to process and ship your order.Sale Promotions: Morse Nursery will only use your personal information to inform you of special promotions.Catalog/Newsletter: Morse Nursery will only use your personal information to send from time to time updated catalogs or articles of interest. At no time will your personal information be sold to outside parties. Information collected: Name, address, phone, zip code, email, and credit card number is collected only to process your order.

Plant Restrictions - State and Federal Regulations sometimes do not permit certain plants into certain regions. Should this happen, we will let you know. We can’t ship to the following states, California, Florida, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Hawaii. Call us for Canada!


12300 Betz RoadBattle Creek, MI 49015 Phone: 269-979-4252 Website: morsenursery.com

ORDER FORM

Bill To: (Address on Credit Card) Ship To : (If Different Than Bill To Address)

_____________________________ ___________________________________

_____________________________ ___________________________________

_____________________________ ____________________________________

Daytime Phone Number ( )______________________E-Mail Address_____________________

SHIP VIA: Fed Ex Ground ________ USPS _________ Pick-Up at Nursery_______

Best Shipping Date for you:________________________ (Or we will pick the best time) Most Shipping Starts April 15th (After Danger of Frost)

_------

QTY. AGE DESCRIPTION PRICE TOTAL Seedling, 1, 2 or 3 Year Old Name of item Each

Total Plants $ ____________


Total from back $* MINIMUM ORDER $75

Shipping SEEDLINGS USPS 8 OR LESS Per Box Cost $20.00 per box $ ______________Shipping SEEDLINGS UP TO 9-32 PLANTS Per Box Cost $30.00 per box $ ______________Shipping SEEDLINGS UP TO 33-64 PLANTS Per Box Cost $34.00 per box $ ______________Shipping 1 YEAR OLD POTTED 10 PLANTS Per Box Cost $38.00 per box $ ______________Shipping 2 YEAR OLD POTTED 10 PLANTS Per Box Cost $48.00 per box $ ______________

3 Year Old & Older Trees Ship on Pallet - Call Nursery

Method of Payment

Check or Money Order Enclosed Visa Master Card Discovery Amex add 4%

Credit Card Number

Security Code Expiration Date

Bill To: (Address on Credit Card) Ship To: (If Different Than Bill To Address)

Cell Phone Number ( ) Daytime Phone Number ( )

E-mail Address:

SHIP VIA: FedEx Ground USPS Pick-Up at Nursery

Best Shipping Date for you: (or we will pick the best time)Most Shipping Starts April 15th (after danger of frost)

ORDER FORM

12300 Betz RoadBattle Creek, MI 49015 Phone: 269-979-4252 Website: morsenursery.com

ORDER FORM

Bill To: (Address on Credit Card) Ship To : (If Different Than Bill To Address)

_____________________________ ___________________________________

_____________________________ ___________________________________

_____________________________ ____________________________________

Daytime Phone Number ( )______________________E-Mail Address_____________________

SHIP VIA: Fed Ex Ground ________ USPS _________ Pick-Up at Nursery_______

Best Shipping Date for you:________________________ (Or we will pick the best time) Most Shipping Starts April 15th (After Danger of Frost)

_------


Total Plants $ ____________

Total Shipping $ ______________ MI Residents add $ ______________ 6% Sales Tax to Plants & Shipping Grand Total $ ______________

Date _______________ Signature: _______________________________

No Shipping to AK, FL, CA, WA, HI, OR, Canada

How did you hear of our nursery? ____________________________________________________


NOTES



Possibly the best soft mast fruit tree for deer that we grow. Our parent tree started producing in its 3rd year and produced over 200 pounds of fruit as a 5 year old tree! This Pear is crossed with a variety of pears specif-ically bred for attracting wildlife. Size and shapes vary considerably from tree to tree, with fruit size from 1 to 3 inches in size. Fruit doesn’t ripen all at the same time, with fruit dropping in October, November, and Decem-ber, making a great characteristic for wildlife. Fruit is tart and high in fiber, eaten by whitetails, turkeys, and makes good jam or wine. Known for their fast growth, often reaching 6 feet in two years, these fruit trees are easy to establish. Pear trees are a great alterative to apple trees when wet soils or whitetail browse makes it impossible to establish apple trees.

HYBRID PEAR ++

Zones: 4-7Specialization: Easy to grow


Can Produce Fruit In: 3-5 yearsFruit/Nut Size: About 1 inch

Growth Rate: Fast

We are excited to offer another large fruited crab we are calling the Morse Hyslop Crab! This Hyslop was planted out with many others and was noticeably more vigorous than the usual run of the mill Hyslop. The fruit ended up being larger, stayed in the tree longer and is a better keep-er than most Hyslop. Hyslop fruit is not usually this size, and the tree is a heavy producer. In addition, this is an edible crab for human consumption.

HYSLOP CRABAPPLE ++

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Large Fruit size

Soil Moisture: Well drained soilsSoil Type: Wide Range



Can’t make up your mind about our fantastic selections of Hybrid Oaks? Consider our Collection Package. This package is simply a collection of all of our different Hybrid Oak trees. Order the quantity of Hybrid Oaks desired, and we will send you a va-riety of all of them. Diversity is the real advantage here. Your selection includes small acorns to large acorns, with various ripening times that will keep wildlife coming in to feed for several months. I was tempted to call this our “Forest Gump Collection”, which means that you never know what you’re going to get, but we can assure that you’ll be happy! In all honesty, this is a practical and fun way to order a selection of our best Hy-brid Oaks. The wildlife will thank you later. *Available in 1 or 2 year potted plants only, no seedlings.

A HYBRID OAK COLLECTION +Flowering Dogwood is obviously an ornamental, beautiful by anyone’s standards and a great addition to any property. Over forty species of birds are reported to eat the fruit from this tree. Other great attributes are that it will grow next to Walnut trees and can produce fruit in mostly shady tree lines.

FLOWERING DOGWOOD +

Can Produce Fruit In: 3-5 yearsSoil Type: Loamy

Fruit/Nut Size: Small, Red

Hazelnuts can develop thick stands, providing good shelter and cover for animals. Pheasants, ruffed grouse, whitetails, quail, rabbits and turkeys prefer the nuts, which are extremely high in nutritional value, containing as much as 25% protein and 60% fat to get them through the winter! These nuts are the same enjoyed by humans over the holidays, only smaller, and have more oils and taste much better. This plant with two ex-tremely important wildlife qualities, food and cover, makes it one of my homerun plants for habitat!

HAZELNUT AMERICAN/BEAK MIX +

Zones: 4-8Specialization: Cover and foodCan Produce Fruit In: 3-5 years

Fruit/Nut Size: SmallGrowth Rate: Fast

Golden Delicious is one of the easi-est apple trees to grow. It is one of only a few varieties that are self-fruit-ing, meaning that it does not need a pollinator to set fruit…a very nice feature. Golden Delicious is noted for their heavy crops and late ripen-ing. Eat this apple right off the tree for a crisp, crunchy, sweet “Deli-cious” treat!

GOLDEN DELICIOUS +++

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Self Fruitful

Can Produce Fruit In: 3-5 yearsFruit/Nut Size: AverageSoil Type: Wide Range


Gillet, Szego, Marigoule, Qing, Maravel, and Morse Gigantica. Call Nursery for availability before ordering.1 year: $35.502 year: $39.50

GRAFTED CHESTNUT +++

Morse Female, Meader Yates, Ruby Weber.1 year: $35.502 year: $39.50Call Nursery for availability before ordering.

GRAFTED PERSIMMON +++


This apple was selected for its very late ripening and firm fruiting quali-ties. Apples that don’t get mushy once they hit the ground are a great asset, especially late into the season. Whitetails will dig into the snow to get these! I’ve noticed that some of these apples can be run over with a lawnmower without much damage, which is proof enough that these apples are among the best keepers that I’ve ever found! Place them by your late season deer stand.

“JOHNNY COME LATELY” +

Zones: 4-8Specialization: Very Late Apple Drop


Can Produce Fruit In: 3-5 yearsFruit/Nut Size: 2-3 inches

Growth Rate: Fast

This is a very cold hardy strain of crabapple. Crossed between Dolgo x Haralson Red, Kerr has gained a reputation as “one of the Crabapple trees to have” for Whitetail habitat. What makes this crab desirable is its fruit size, averaging 3⁄8-1⁄2 inch, and the late ripening of the fruit. Com-bine this with being easy to grow and care for, and you can see why it’s so popular!

KERR CRABAPPLE +

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Cold Hardy


Can Produce Fruit In: 3-5 yearsFruit size: 1/4 - 3/8 inches

Growth Rate: Fast


Hybrid Chestnut cross between Eu-ropean and Chinese (Layeroka). I’ve used this Chestnut to replace other strains of Chestnut trees that have died for whatever reason, with very good success. Nuts are very sweet and trees produce at very early ages some as early as three years with most between 4-5 years. As with all Chestnuts trees plant in well drained soils and lots of sunlight. More up-right growth than Chinese reaching heights of 50 ft or more has been reported.

LAYEROKA EURO X CHINESE +

Zones: 3-9Specialization: Blight Resistant/ Upright

“Timber” growth potentialSoil Moisture: Well drained soils

Soil Type: Wide RangeCan Produce In: 3-5 Years

Growth Rate: Fast

Rev Kieffer is one of the latest ripen-ing/dropping Pear along with Hybrid Pear we grow. We commonly find fruit still in the trees some years as late as December. Additionally, it’s the best self pollinating pear ever! These trees can be in the middle of nowhere and will still have great fruit sets. Kieffer is also a very good tast-ing Pear fresh off the tree if you like crunchy, but when left on the coun-ter for 7-10 days develop a sweet soft juicy dessert pear profile. Note: Grafted Selection recommended if purchasing for human consumption as the taste can’t be relied upon from seedlings. Grafted Selections will also fruit 1-2 years sooner than non-grafted trees (seedlings.)

KIEFFER PEAR ++



Growth Rate: FastSpecialization: Self Fertile (can pollinate itself)

Field grown in Root maker knitted #8 containers is Morse Nursery’s most exciting offering for those of you who want “instant” oaks! These Oaks have had their roots air pruned as seedlings for one year then trapped in root trapper containers for one year and finally constricted for two years in knitted in ground contain-ers. These hybrid oaks are 4’-10’ in height and range in caliper size from 1”-21/2”. Some of these trees had acorns last year so if you don’t want to wait a lifetime to see acorns from White Oaks these would be very high on my list of trees to plant! Shipping of these larger trees will have to be on pallets or picked up at the nurs-ery. Price is $100 per caliper inch. We also have older hybrid oaks that we dig and ship bareroot for $60 per caliper inch. Call for shipping prices as these are done on a quote basis. Trees must be shipped in the fall or early spring.

INSTANT OAKS +

Zones: 3-9Specialization: Early Acorn Production

Can Produce Fruit In: 4-8 yearsFruit/Nut Size: VariableSoil Type: Wide RangeSoil Mositure: Upland

This is a hybrid between Swamp White Oak and White Oak. I’ve dis-covered that this hybrid does well in both wet and upland soils. Here on our farm they’re planted in both clay upland soils and clay/loam moist soil. Both locations are producing equal results in terms of growth rates and acorn production. Started producing in 4/5 years from seedlings and are heavy producer for young trees.

Zones: 3-9Specialization: Grows in both

wet or dry soilsSoil Moisture: Both Well Drained and Wet

Soil Type: Wide RangeCan Produce In: 4-8 Years

Growth Rate: Fast

JACK OAK +

The Morse Big Crab is a selection we planted about 10 years ago as a trial to see if it could make the cut for our large fruited crabapple lineup. This tree was impressive in growth rate and productivity, producing large fruit in abundance. This is exactly what we look for in determining ben-eficial attributes that whitetails are looking for. Apples start dropping just in time for opening bow season here in Michigan. This is another great selection for food plots!

MORSE BIG CRAB +

Zones: 3-7Specialization: Produces Large Crops


Can Produce From In: 3-5 yearsGrowth Rate: Fast

This selection is from our most cold hardy strain of Persimmon, possibly a hybrid between Meader and Early Golden. This selection is a good choice for our more northern cus-tomers that have had trouble estab-lishing Persimmons in cold climates. Persimmons are tricky because if you find a tree that is cold hardy, usu-ally the fruit remains green without enough time to ripen. This selection has been very cold hardy and the fruit ripens by November. Like all other Persimmons, the fruit has high sugar content and it is enjoyed by all types of wildlife, espe-cially Whitetail andTurkeys. The fruit on Persimmon ripens late in the fall and doesn’t really start to fall from the tree until after a couple of hard frosts. Produces fruit in 4-6 years. Will grow in all soil types, including sand or clay. Wood is from the ebony family and is very valuable. Golf clubs and pool cues are made from this very hard wood. These trees are male and female, so plant them in groups of insure fruit.

MORSE PERSIMMON +

Zones: 4-9Specialization: Cold HardySoil Moisture: Well DrainedFruit/Nut Size: Golfball size

Can Produce Fruit in 4-6 years

I’m including this Oak in my hybrid selection this year, even though it ap-pears to be a pure species, because I have had seedlings develop acorns routinely within 5 years from this tree! The original tree is from the Univer-sity of Cornell’s arboretum, known for its abundant crops of acorns and voted “Urban Tree of the Year”. Air root pruning the seedlings along with nitrogen deprivation during the seedling phase will help this Swamp White Oak come out of its juvenile stage early. Expect acorns within 5-9 years. You can plant this tree in wet or upland soils, making it one of our most versatile selections.

MORSE SWAMP WHITE OAK +

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Great wet site Oak

Soil Type: Widely adaptableSoil Moisture: MoistFruit/Nut Size: Large

Growth Rate: ModerateFall Color: Yellow

Officially, one of my favorite Hybrid Oaks for fast acorn production! The Morse Hybrid Oak is a unique tree in the White Oak family. The trees are planted together on the farm with BurGambel Oaks, so the seedlings will undoubtedly have some Bur-Gambel characteristics in them. Our trees have grown to 12-15’ in 5 years from seedlings, and 3 of the 10 trees produced acorns in their fourth year. This year is their 5th year, and 6 of the 10 trees are producing, with one tree producing 560 acorns. This is a very promising Hybrid Oak for early acorn pro-duction!

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Early Acorn Production

Soil Type: Sandy to ClayCan Produce Fruit In: 4-8 yearsGrowth Rate: Medium to Fast

MORSE HYBRID OAK +


The Meader Persimmon is a cold har-dy Persimmon that’s self-pollinating and ripens early (October), essential in short growing seasons for cold northern zone success. I would high-ly recommend mixing your planting with Morse (Grafted Females) Per-simmon or Non-Grafted Morse Per-simmons when ordering. The two varieties of grafted selections will all have fruit when planted with Meader, as the Meaders will act as the pollina-tors for the Morse persimmon. Plant-ing both varieties is like planting dif-ferent apple trees for better fruit sets and varied drop times.

MEADER PERSIMMON +++

Zones: 4-9Specialization: Male and Female

flowers on the same treeSoil Moisture: Well drained soils to moist soil

Soil Type: Wide Range Can Produce In: 3-6 Years

Growth Rate: FastFruit Size: Golfball sized

“This is a Grafted Female selec-tion.” Wood was taken from our famous “Morse Persimmon” which has proven to be the best cold hardy Persimmon we have ever dis-covered. What does “Best” mean? Persimmons are southern trees that us northerners have been trying to grow for years with mixed results. If you’re lucky enough to get one of these southern trees to grow and not freeze out, then only later to your disappointed, find that the fruit never has enough time to ripen. Morse Persimmon has consistently over come both these disappointing attributes on our farm. Fruit starts to ripen in October just ahead of your Goldrush Apples and will hang into November dropping a few each day. Must be planted with Male Pollinators. Purchase Morse Non-Grafted Persimmon seedlings or Potted Persimmon, then strategically place the Graft-ed Female where they will give you the best hunting opportunities. Very Limited Quantities available.

MORSE PERSIMMON GRAFTED FEMALE +++

Zones: 4-9Specialization: Grafted Female

Soil Moisture: Well drained soils to wet soilsSoil Type: Wide Range


Fruit Size: Golf ball sized


This selection comes to us from one of our customers orchard just down the street. This selection has heavy consistent production, fruit is me-dium sized and very tasty. Apricots are self pollinating and easy to grow.

MORSE APRICOT

Zones: 4-8Specialization: Self Pollinating

Soil Type: Well DrainedGrowith Rate: 2-3’ per year

This is one of the easiest plants to grow. It’s designed to grow in areas with complete neglect, produces berries even in partial shade, is simulated by browse to grow more branches and grows to form a great cover plant for whitetail bedding ar-eas. I’m tempted to say even a cave-man can grow this one!

NANNYBERRY +

Zones: 3-7Specialization: Suckers

Soil Moisture: Moist or DryCan Produce Fruit In: 2 years

Fruit/Nut Size: BerriesGrowth Rate: Medium

Ninebark is a dense, spreading shrub that makes great cover, visual screens and browse. I like this plant, as it will grow almost anywhere, even in poor soils and is stimulated when browsed. Ninebark is a very fast growing shrub, usually 3’ or more per year and is easy to grow. This is another great low-maintenance se-lection for food plots and cover.

NINEBARK ++

Zones: 2-8Height: 5-10Width: 6-10

Specialization: Screening & Shade Tolerant

Soil Moisture: Well DrainedSoil Type: Any

Being one of the most browse-resistant conifers makes this easier to establish and more likely to suc-ceed. The attribute I like best is that the lower branches grow tight to the ground, providing excellent visual screens and wide breaks for wildlife. This tree is a fast grower!

NORWAY SPRUCE +

Zones: 3-7 (8)Specialization: Browse tolerant,

Low branching habitSoil Type: Widely adaptableSoil Moisture: Well Drained

Growth Rate: Med/Fast

This crab was discovered by a friend while visiting Nova Scotia. The tree was brought over from the original homesteaders almost 200 years ago according to the farmer. We grew out the seedlings from this tree and put them into our trials for promising large fruited crabapples about 2005. Wow, very vigorous growth, prolific production and beautiful large fruit. Ripening is mid September and into October but some trees are as late as Nov/Dec, great tree for our bow hunters. I graft some trees from the late trees and these will be reliable for Nov/Dec fruit still in the tree for those of you looking for really late food sources.

NOVA SCOTIA CRABAPPLE ++

Zones: 2-7Specialization: Large edible FruitSoil Moisture: Well drained soils


Growth Rate: FastFruit Size: 2”+

Shrubs that grow wider than they do tall are always great for screening and naturalizing areas. The Nanking Cherry produces scarlet red edible fruit enjoyed by game and song-birds. Whitetails love making scrape lines under these plants at the farm and browse them extensively. I have made both wine and jam from the fruit. Excellent for food plot borders.

NANKING CHERRY ++

Zones: 2-7Width: 15

Height: 6-10Specialization: Screening & Food

Soil Moisture: Well Drained Soil Type: Wide Range


The Northern Bay Berry is a thicket-forming shrub that will grow in poor soils and makes a great whitetail bedding plant, as this shrub retains most all of it leaves the entire winter. Shrubs that retain their leaves are an important attribute for visual screens and windbreaks. Berries provide food for song birds.

NORTHERN BAY BERRY +

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Grows in poor soil

Soil Type: Any


This selection has a possible Chinkapin cross as well! Acorns are sweeter than most white oaks and large in size. Very productive as a young tree on our farm with about 50 acorns the first year they produced. This tree “Now Older” has crops that bend the branches some years, while only 10 years old and is one of my favorites for acorn size and produc-tivity. Seedlings: $12.50 1 year potted: $16.502 year potted: $20.50

OOTI BEBBS OAK +

Zones: 3-9Specialization: Early acorn production

Soil Moisture: Well drained soils to moist soilsSoil Type: Wide Range


Fruit Size: Large acorns

Red mulberry is used mainly for its large, sweet fruits. The plumb fruit is prized by many animals, game and song birds, including opossum, rac-coon, fox squirrels, and gray squir-rels. Deer browse the leaves and twigs. The fruits also are used in jel-lies, jams, pies, and drinks. Interest-ingly, some wildlife specialist say that all the fruit these trees make take the pressure off many game birds like turkeys, that have eggs on the nests about the same time.

MULBERRY +

Zones: 3-9Specialization: Easy to grow

Soil Moisture: Well drained soils to moist soil Soil Type: Wide Range


Fruit Size: 1⁄2”+

This is a shrub to small tree form plant selected for its very large (for a Pin Cherry) plump fruit. This plant can form dense thickets of outstand-ing cover and food. Pin Cherry likes a moist soil and will grow in a variety of types from sandy to clay. The fruit is relished by birds and makes an great jelly.

PIN CHERRY +

Zones: 3-7Specialization: Thicket forming

food producerSoil Type: Sandy to Clay

Soil Moisture: MoistGrowth Rate: Fast

Can Produce Fruit In: 3-5 years

What a great border shrub! The ber-ries attract Pheasants and Wild Tur-keys. Fast growth rate seems to be quite vigorous. Whitetails browse this plant heavily at the farm, which only stimulates them to grow more shoots. Rabbits like to use our plants for cover. The stems turn a bright red and contrast against the snow in the winter. Good bedding plant that also makes great visual screens.

REDOSIER DOGWOOD ++

Zones: 2-7Specialization: Cover

Soil Moisture: Prefers dryCan Produce Fruit In: 4-8 years

Fruit/Nut Size: AveragePrecocious Bearing: Yes

I’m often asked the question, “What is your favorite Oak”? Well, this #5 and #7 is about as good as they come! This hybrid produces acorns every year, with heavy acorn crops on alternating years producing be-tween 800 and 1000 pounds. You heard correctly, that’s up to a ½ ton of acorns! As you might expect from a hybrid cross of two members of the white oak family, this tree produces a sweet acorn that is widely consumed by wildlife of all kinds, especially whitetails. The parent tree exhibits a long duration acorn drop pattern, with many acorns hanging on late into the season. This is the primary reason for my selection of this tree. Acorns ripening and dropping over time is a fantastic attribute when feeding and holding wildlife on your property late in the season.

SARGENT OAK #5 HYBRID +

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Late acorn drop

Soil Type: Wide RangeSoil Moisture: Prefers dry

Can Produce Fruit In: 4-8 yearsFruit/Nut Size: AveragePrecocious Bearing: Yes

More like Master Gunnery Sergeant Oak! This Oak, along with our Ser-geant #5, is about as good as they come! This hybrid reliably produces acorns every year, with heavy acorn crops on alternating years averag-ing between 800 and 1000 pounds. That’s right, production of up to a ½ ton of acorns! This hybrid cross of two oaks in the White Oak family pro-duces a sweet acorn consumed by all wildlife, and preferred by whitetails. The parent tree exhibits a very large acorn, nearly twice the size I normally see with this hybrid, and recently produced over 1000 pounds of acorns! This large acorn is one of the primary reasons for my selec-tion of this tree, and it is a fantastic selection for whitetails because the acorns are so large that birds can’t eat them. Your whitetails will have zero competition for this crop! If you’re serious about in-vesting in superior wildlife habitat, you need to include this in your selection of must-have oaks!

SARGENT OAK #7 HYBRID +

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Very large acorn drop

Soil Type: Wide RangeSoil Moisture: Prefers dry



A naturally occurring hybrid be-tween Chestnut Oak and White Oak. Sweet acorns are influenced by the White Oak gene contribution in this cross. Seedlings show signs of pos-sible English Oak in the interesting hybrid, and will only make the acorns sweeter, larger, and more reliable! The parent tree has produced acorns every year, with very heavy crops of over 500 to 1000 pounds on alter-nating years. Very fast growing and early (4-8 years) acorn production is possible. I have personally seen bucks get up out of their beds in the middle of the day to feast on these tasty acorns before the competition can get to them.

SAULS OAK HYBRID +

Zones: 3-9Specialization: Widely adaptable

Soil Moisture: Prefers dryCan Produce Fruit In: 4-8 years

Fruit/Nut Size: LargeGrowth Rate: Medium


Original seed source from North Korea meaning this Sawtooth is” not from the south” and is fully cold hardy to zone 4. Sawtooths from the south have been planted here in the North for years with little if any success but this is truly a cold hardy strain that will. Our trees survived 2013 Polar Vortex temperatures of 30 below zero. Sawtooths are known for their abundant acorn production because they will produce acorns the full length of their branches and not just on the ends. 500 to 1,000 pounds of acorns are not uncom-mon. One of the best attributes of this cold hardy Sawtooth is not only heavy acorn production but that they retain their leaves most of the winter, Fabulous for tree stands!

SAWTOOTH (COLD HARDY STRAIN) +

Zones: 4-9Can Produce Fruit In: 5-10 years

Fruit/Nut Size: AverageSpecialization: Cold Hardy/

Leaf RetentionSoil Type: Wide Range Upland Dry


This is one of my favorite Dogwoods because of its thicket, shrub-forming growth habit, plus it produces fruit. This dogwood likes moist sites best, but will grow in dry upland sites just as well. One of the best attributes of this dogwood is that it likes par-tially shady areas and can grow in the woods and still fruits.....Very cool! This is a great shrub for overwinter-ing bird populations.

SILKY DOGWOOD ++

Zones: 4-8Specialization: Produce’s fruit in the shade

Soil Type: Moist to DryFruit/Nut Size: 1⁄2” Drupe

Spicebush is a thicket-forming shrub that will grow and fruit in partial shade. This plant has been used to build Whitetail bedding areas where there is a canopy in the woods. Bed-ding areas must be thick, and plants that form a thicket in shade are hard to find, much less produce fruit. This plant makes my list of favorites in building whitetail habitat and cover.

SPICEBUSH +

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Grows under tree canopy

Soil Type: Widely adaptableSoil Moisture: Moist to Dry


Stanley Plums are what we eat, make jams, jelly and… oh yes, our famous Morse wine from! This is a good pol-linator for our thicket plum. White-tails and Turkeys alike eat this fruit.

STANLEY PLUM +

Zones: 5-8Specialization: Tasty



Propagated by seed from a select tree on our farm that is everyone’s fa-vorite. Cherries are some of sweetest best tasting you will eat. Cold hardy, pollinizer is required. Enjoy cherry blossoms in the spring.

SWEET CHERRY +

Zones: 3-8Specialization: One of the hardiest of cherries

Soil Type: Widely adaptableSoil Moisture: Well Drained

Can Produce Fruit In: 4-5 yearsFruit/Nut Size: Standard Cherry

Growth Rate: Fast

Need to thicken up the swamp? This is an excellent choice for very wet conditions. The lower limbs of this conifer curve down, providing some of the best cover Whitetails can find in the swamp. Terrific for those old swamp bedding bucks!

TAMARACK +

My personal favorite Pear to eat! These Pears are in the desert catego-ry with intense Pear flavor but fruit is smaller in size as you can see. These fit into your shirt pocket perfectly on your way to your favorite tree stand. Good pollinator for other Pear trees like our Hybrid Pear. Our trees ripen around September/October.

SECKEL PEAR ++

Zones: 4-8Specialization: Intense Pear FlavorSoil Moisture: Well drained soils


Growth Rate: Fast


This hybrid is a cross between Swamp White Oak and Bur Oak. My son Tyler found this hybrid growing near an almost pure stand of Swamp White Oaks. The most interesting point about this find is that there were many young acorn-bearing trees all around the parent tree. This tells me that the resulting seed-lings all have a high degree of hybrid vigor, which is extremely important when it comes to producing acorns at an early age. I haven’t found any swamp hybrid oaks to pick from that are better than this one. If you have wet areas on your property, this is the oak you will want to plant. Additionally, this hybrid has performed in upland soils as well. An excellent choice for someone with a mix of high and low ground.

SCHUETTES OAK HYBRID +

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Early acorn production

Soil Type: Wide RangeSoil Moisture: Prefers Moist

Can Produce Fruit In: 4-8 yearsFruit/Nut Size: Average

Growth Rate: FastPrecocious Bearing: Yes

Thicket forming best describes this plant. Once planted it will colonize a large area in a very short time. Great for screening, cover and bedding. Whitetail bucks love the soft sticky bark as it holds the scent from their adrenal gland a long time. Over the years I have seen bucks consistently stage in these sumac colonies on the edges of fields, important for those of you that want to lure bucks out of the wood just prior to dark. This plant will grow nicely in poor soils and great in good soils. Very fast growing, can reach 5-6 feet their first year. I’m offering these as rooted root cuttings, available late fall and early spring. $17.50 in bundles of 10. Above pricing is for 10 rooted roots.

STAGHORN SUMAC ++

Zones: 4-8Specialization: Colonizes

Soil Type: Any including poor & sterileSoil Moisture: All except wet

Growth Rate: Very Fast


Zones: 2-6Specialization: Very wet soilsSoil Type: Widely Adaptable

Soil Moisture: WetGrowth Rate: Fast

3 TIMES A CHARM APPLE TREES +++

Zones: 3-7Specialization: 3 Apple Trees 3 Fruit Drops


Can Produce Fruit In: 2-3 yearsFruit/Nut Size: Three different sizes

Rootstock B-118 or M-111

Three Times a Charm (TTC) refers to “how” we package apple trees and “when” the fruit drops more than “what” the trees are. When order-ing Three Times a Charm (TTC) we package your order with Early, Mid, and Late ripening varieties. (These are not 3 in 1 trees) 3 in 1 trees are for small back yards or in a pot on your patio and will not hold up in the wild. TTC help pollinate each other, provide an extended hunting sea-son, and are essential in attracting whitetails to your property for several months. TTC, if the first and second apple crop didn’t get you a buck then the third just might be........ “the charm.” TTC are grafted on B-118 or M-111 rootstock making them semi-standard “Not” dwarf’s. Growing apple trees exclusively for wildlife, we know a small tree (dwarf) won’t get the job done. Our large trees 18’-25’ at maturity can be planted in a wide range of soils includ-ing difficult soils of sand and clay, allowing habitat managers flex-ibility with strategic placement in less than ideal locations. Trees are divided between early, mid, and late drop times. Varieties used are from the below listed trees. Additionally, all these varieties can be ordered separately.ARKANSAS BLACK +++ I have been asked by many of our southern customers to offer up grafted Arkansas Black Apples because of their low chill hours need to produce fruit. This apple ripens in October and drops through November here in Michigan. Excellent eating and storing apple and interestingly develop a sweeter taste the longer they lay on the ground or on your shelf. Deer will dig these out of the snow long after they have fallen for their sweet treat!CIDER/HARD CIDER +++Winesap, Golden Russet, Spitzenburg, Grimes, Golden, Spy, Dabi-nett, Chestnut Crab, and Arkansas Black. Call Nursery for avail-ability before ordering.1 year: $24.502 year: $29.50 ENTERPRISE +++ Yet another disease resistant strain that’s easy to grow. Red apples that ripen late October to early November. Apples from this tree hang well and are commonly still in our trees in December.GOLDRUSH +++ Disease resistant strain with Yellow apples. Very productive, ripen-ing in November with fruit hanging well into December. Pruning for good crouch angles are important with this tree to prevent limbs from breaking.GRIMES GOLDEN +++ I discovered this strain of Grimes when a customer and fellow or-chardist in his mid seventies while purchasing trees told me about his unusual Grimes. The fruit from this tree is very large firm and delicious. He has allowed me to take scion wood from his tree and offer them to others who love this old time variety. Ripens early October.

HONEYCRISP +++ Some of the very best-tasting apples are Honeycrisp apples. The cellular structure is different than any other apple. They are larger, and when bitten into, produce a noticeably juicier explosion of fla-vor than any other apple. The fruit tends to hang on to the tree late into winter because of their thick stems, and once on the ground they keep their firmness rather than turning into mush. This quality is important, as I’ve observed whitetails digging through snow to get to firm apples rather than ones that have turned into apple-sauce. Another great apple for deer and humans.JONAFREE +++ Disease resistant that ripens in early October. Here is a good ex-ample of ripening times verses drop times being way different. This cultivar hangs onto most of its fruit well into November and December and should be used as a late variety.LIBERTY +++ Another disease resistant variety that is very productive. Red apple ripens in late September but this apple hangs onto its apples and drops them over about a month long duration sometimes we see liberty apples in our trees with snow on them. I use this tree both as a mid ripening or late ripening variety. REDFREE +++ Early ripening and disease resistant cultivar. Red apple ripening in late August. SNOWSWEET +++ Another very cold hardy apple bred by the University of Minne-sota. Ripens in early October. Nice crunchy juicy apple to eat out of hand.SWEET SIXTEEN +++ Ripens in late September to early October. Sweet Sixteen is resis-tant to fire blight and is another very cold hardy variety from Min-nesota. Reportedly used by a champion pie baker with a history of blue ribbon winning pies as her secret ingredient. Apple when baked has a hint of vanilla flavor. Sorry bambi but a few of these are going to come up missing off your trees in the fall…….:-)WOLF RIVER APPLE TREE-YOU WANT HUGE +++ If you want huge apples, then here you go! Wolfriver produces apples so gigantic that an entire pie can be made from one apple. The way I’ve thought is that if a whitetail will get up early from their bed when they hear acorns dropping from white oaks, then they should have no problem at all hearing these whopper apples hit the ground! Wolfriver is an heirloom variety and is one of the easi-est apples to grow and care for, as it is reportedly disease resistant. YELLOW DELICIOUS +++ One of my favorite eating apple pick straight from the tree. Late ripening variety in October fruit commonly hangs into November.ZESTAR +++ Very cold hardy tree with early ripening red apples. Introduced by the University of Minnesota this trees was breed for cold climates up to zone 3.



Willows frequently hybridize produc-ing some interesting growth rates and shapes. This hybrid grows to form dense thickets and colonizes freely. Ideal for wet sites including standing water. Very fast growing attaining 3-4 feet the first year. This plant will grow with complete neglect.

Zones: 2-8Specialization: Colonizes

Soil Type: AnyGrowth Rate: Very fast

THICKET WILLOW ++

This is a great oak that won’t shade your fruit trees or food plots! If you’re thinking about including oaks into existing fruit stands or fields, the columnar shape of this tree ensures acorn production without compro-mising sunlight to your other wildlife sources. This hybrid is the result of a cross with a fastigiated English Oak and Swamp White Oak. It is a vigor-ous upright-oval grower, reaching 60’ tall while only 25’ wide. Due to its parentage, this oak is tolerant of a wide range of conditions, including both wet and dry soil. The seed was collected from the famous Riv-erbank Lodge (pictured above) where the tree grows right through the roof. Acorn crops on this tree have been both consistent and heavy. This is an excellent choice for space-limited applications, where you desire acorn production without the broad, spreading growth habit of traditional oaks.

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Early acorns

Soil Type: Wide RangeSoil Moisture: Dry or Wet

Can Produce Fruit In: 4-8 yearsFruit/Nut Size: Med-Large

Growth Rate: Vigorous

WARE OAK HYBRID +

White spruce…because of its wide geographic range and abundance, it is highly significant source of food and cover for many wildlife species, for soil stability, watershed value, and recreation. Whitetails don’t browse this spruce very much, though they welcome the shelter it provides dur-ing the winter months. Additionally, it was historically important for food, shelter, medicine, fuel, and other uses by American Indians. White spruce is the provincial tree of Manitoba and the state tree of South Dakota.

WHITE SPRUCE +

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Cover and Windbreak

Soil Type: Wide Range Growth Rate: Fast

The Washington Hawthorne is a fan-tastic border or boundary tree, sport-ing menacing thorns that even the most diehard trespassers will think twice about going through, much less a second time. It produces abundant fruit that turkeys and other game birds relish. Birds love to nest in these trees because the thorns help to keep predators at bay while raising their family. Birds tend to be watch guards for other animals, and I’ve kicked up many deer peacefully bedded around these trees using the birds as their personal bodyguards!

WASHINGTON HAWTHORNE +

Zones: 3-6Specialization: NaturalizingSoil Type: Widely adaptableSoil Moisture: Wet to Moist

Growth Rate: Very FastThe Thicket Serviceberry is a multi-stem shrub growing to an average height of 8’ with a 6-8’ width that produces edible berries in June. This plant is a great selection for visual blinds, travel corridors and cover, and can stand up to whitetail brows-ing pressure. This plant is one of a few that will produce their berries in partial shade. What more can habitat managers ask from a plant! Addition-ally, I propagate this from cuttings so this plant can produce berries their first year. These plants simply should be included in any habitat plan.

THICKET SERVICEBERRY +

Zones: 3-7 (8)Specialization: Colonies-Partial Shade

Soil Type: Wide RangeSoil Moisture: Moist to Dry

Can Produce Fruit In: 2-3 yearsFruit/Nut Size: BerriesGrowth Rate: Medium

Height: 6-10

The Thicket Plum is a multi-stemmed shrub that forms fantastic coloniz-ing thickets. It reminds me of sumac in how they spread. The plums are somewhat tart to us humans, but just sweet enough for the deer and game birds to really love them. Fruit starts to ripen mid-summer. If you’re looking for a plant to provide cover, visual screens, and food then this is a great choice. Thicket Plum will grow in any well drained soils. It seems to thrive with neglect!

THICKET PLUM +

Zones: 4-8Specialization: Forms large colonies

Soil Type: Wide RangeSoil Moisture: Prefers well Drained

Can Produce Fruit In: 3-5 yearsFruit/Nut Size: 1 inch

USDA release. Seed quality is main-tained by MSU Plant resource center to insure quality seedlings. This crab is more shrub or thicket form than tree. Known for its excellent 8 foot bushy habit, which provides food and cover. Fruit averages a yield of 27 lbs every year. The fruit persist until spring and is an important late season food source for wildlife.

THICKET CRABAPPLE +

Zones: 3-8Specialization: True Bush Form

Apple TreeSoil Type: Widely adaptableSoil Moisture: Well Drained

Fruit/Nut Size: SmallGrowth Rate: Fast



This Pear was found growing along one of Michigan’s interstate high-ways. As a wild pear, this is prob-ably what growers of cultivars started with. In other words, this was one of the original parent pears. The fruit on this tree is about 2” in size and not very tasty as human consumption goes. This pear is high in fiber and the Whitetails love eating them. Pear trees are a great alterative to apples when whitetail browse makes it im-possible to establish apple trees. I’ve noticed that this tree toler-ates moist soil much better than apple trees so this might be a good choice for wetter sites.

WILD PEAR +

Zones: 3-9Specialization: Low Maintenance fruit tree

Can Produce Fruit In: 4-5 yearsFruit/Nut size: 2-3 inchesGrowth Rate: Vigorous

The Whitney Crab Apple is a large fruiting crab, developing fruit be-tween the size of an egg and a tennis ball. Our tree had a few apples hang-ing here in Michigan and it’s Decem-ber! This crab is widely considered to be one of the best for Whitetails, and I like that it drops its fruit over a very long time. The Whitney Crab produc-es annually and has heavy crops.

WHITNEY CRABAPPLE ++

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Staggered Fruit Drop Times

Soil Moisture: Well drained soils Soil Type: Wide Range


You want huge, well here you go! Wolf River produces apples so gi-gantic that an apple pie can be made from one apple. The way I have it figured is that if a Whitetail will get up early from their beds when they hear acorns dropping from white Oaks, well then they should have no problem hearing these whopper sized apples hit the ground! Wolf River is also one of the easiest apple trees to grow and care for, as it is re-portedly disease resistant.

WOLF RIVER APPLE TREE-YOU WANT HUGE +++

Zones: 3-8Specialization: Bake a pie from one apple


Fruit Size: Huge



*** Why WE Don’t Grow Plants By Size! ***We don’t use the standard horticultural pricing system of every 3” of growth increments. We are using techniques that help our trees have the potential to produce fruit and nuts at an earlier age! In fact our trees will probably be the smallest trees you ever purchase. Some of the techniques we use are to withhold nitrogen to very small amounts and air root pruning. This holds back the plants’ growth of wood (making it not very tall) but helps the tree divert its energy to bud and root development. A typical one foot tree that has been held back would normally be about a three foot tree if grown with lots of nitrogen. In a way it looks like we are shooting ourselves in the foot with this technique but if you understand our system it’s actually best if your goal is to produce food sooner and not place the value on wood or how big the tree is, but rather in what it does. We have also discovered that the trees having been held back in their seedling phase actually seem to store energy in their root system. This stored energy shows up after planting it in organic soil (your soil) where they start making up for the lost time. We have planted 3-4 feet bare root trees next to our nitrogen deprived, air root pruned one foot seedlings and discovered that in most cases the seedling catches the 3-4 feet bare root trees by the end of the summer and passes it the second year. This is very interesting stuff! Pricing is based on age, container size, and sometimes the rarity or uniqueness of the plant not size!

DirectionsLocated in Battle Creek Michigan off Highway I-94 at Exit Number 95. Turn South off the exit ramp, go to the first stop light (which is Beckley Road). Turn Right onto Beckley Road (to the west). Go to the next street, make a left turn (south) on Betz Road. We are down the road a quarter of a mile on the left. Do Not Stop at the old farm house where there is a barn. Keep going, you will see our sign located at the end of our driveway.

12300 BETZ ROAD

Seedlings vs. Cloned Plants explained

Seedlings: Plants grown from seed!

Plants grown from seed (seedlings) will not be exactly like the parent plant. Some plants grown from seed come very close to being true to the parent but can still display genetic variances including looking nothing like the parent. When we do seedling trials where we plant out thousands of seedlings and when most all the seedlings look the same we know that this plant will come very close to true from the parent plant, others when grown show hundreds of variances and we know that this plant will not come out very close to the parent and we eliminate the plant as a good candidate for seedling propagation. A good example of this is Malus Serengeti (Roselow strain) this crabapple is offered by a major university as “true from seed and certified” to nurseries all over the country. Even when using our trial selection process for, “which plants grow best from seed” it’s still not a clone and there will be some genetic differences. Morse Nursery seedlings are a good low cost option when planting for wildlife because the genetic variances in the size and color of the fruit are not that important.

Plants can be cloned to be exactly like the parent plant by a number of processes such as grafting and cuttings. We offer many plants that have been colonial propagated by these methods. If you want plants exactly like the parent described in our literature, be sure to ask for plants that have been cloned using grafted or cutting propagation.

Author Charlie Morse

TYPICAL PLANTING

NANKING CHERRY

MORSE HYBRID PEAR

MORSE DOUBLE RED CRAB

ROOT TRAPPERCONTAINERIZED PLANTS

AIR ROOT

PRUNEDSEEDLING MORSE BIG CRAB

APPLE

WHITNEY CRABAPPLE

INSTANT OAKS


OFFICE

THICKET SERVICEBERRY LARGE BODACIOUS BUR ACORN

YOUNG CHESTNUT WITH CHESTNUTS

HYBRID PEAR

COLOSSAL X OKEI CHESNUTS

REDOSIER DOGWOOD

ENGLISH WIDE ACORNS


Morse Nursery12300 Betz RoadBattle Creek, MI 49015Phone: 269-979-4252www.MorseNursery.com

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phone: 269-979-4252mend morse nursery to anyone looking to improve their property for wildlife...

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