Environment Design Inc. does custom tree grow projects via our contract grow division for various companies, services, and places around the U.S.A. From the 9/11 memorial to the Texas cities to Universities in California, we will not only grow trees that fit your needs within 50 miles of your project, we will relocate and transplant them for you as well.
Custom Grow Benefits
- Custom Rootball Sizes
- Meet Specific Clear-Trunk Heights
- Insure Supply
- Save Money
- Removes construction project seasonality restrictions
National 9/11 Memorial
EDI is honored to have worked for the 9/11 Memorial to bring trees to the National 9/11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan, NY. EDI started with the project in 2007 procuring 500+ trees in the impacted states (NY, NJ, MD, VA), consolidating trees at a nursery within 50 miles of the Memorial site, and custom growing the trees with asymmetric root systems for eventual installation. EDI began installing trees on the Memorial in 2010 and continued installing trees until 2015 as sections of the Memorial were completed. In all, 416 trees were installed at the site by EDI including the “Survivor Tree.”
Uptown Houston
On the main artery of Uptown, Houston, a transit expansion project put the street’s existing tree canopy in harm’s way. EDI was contracted to re-purpose existing trees to parks and public places, to custom grow 900 trees over a 4 year period and to install 900 trees on the expanded boulevard.
Nicollet Mall – Minneapolis, MN
EDI was tasked with the procurement, delivery, and installation of approximately 300 specimen trees. Species included maple, oak, and birch. This challenging project required a high level of logistical / traffic control coordination as well as strict adherence to project milestones as the completion of the entire project coincided with the city of Minneapolis hosting of the 2017 Superbowl.
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Custom Grow FAQs
What are custom grow specimen trees, and how do custom grow specimen trees support long-term environmental design planning?
Custom grow specimen trees are trees that are intentionally cultivated to meet specific size, species, form, and performance requirements defined by an environmental design project. Custom grow specimen trees allow developers, designers, and municipalities to plan landscapes years in advance, aligning biological growth with architectural and infrastructure timelines.
Unlike traditional sourcing, where available inventory dictates design decisions, a custom tree-growing service reverses that relationship. Through bespoke tree cultivation, trees are selected and grown according to project-specific criteria such as mature height, canopy spread, trunk caliper, and climate adaptability. This approach ensures that when a project is ready for installation, the trees are already at the desired level of maturity.
Grow-to-spec trees are particularly valuable for large-scale developments where uniformity and predictability matter. A tailored tree growth program allows designers to specify exact dimensions and species mixes, reducing compromises later in the process. Custom-grown large trees also establish stronger root systems because they are managed with future relocation in mind.
From a planning perspective, specimen tree custom grow programs reduce risk. Tree availability, size progression, and health are tracked over time, giving project teams confidence that landscape elements will be ready as scheduled. Custom tree farming orders provide transparency and control that standard nurseries cannot offer.
Custom-grown specimen trees also support sustainability. Trees are grown locally or regionally whenever possible, improving acclimation and reducing transport stress. By investing early in custom-grown tree supply, environmental design projects gain access to mature, resilient trees that integrate seamlessly into long term planning strategies.
Why do developers and designers choose custom-grown specimen trees instead of sourcing trees closer to construction?
Custom grow specimen trees are chosen by developers and designers who need certainty, consistency, and alignment between landscape vision and project delivery. Custom-grown specimen trees eliminate the unpredictability associated with sourcing large trees late in the construction process.
Traditional nursery sourcing often forces teams to compromise on species, size, or form due to limited availability. A custom tree growing service removes those constraints by producing trees specifically for a project. Through bespoke tree cultivation, designers can maintain design integrity rather than adapting plans to what happens to be available.
Grow-to-spec trees are especially important for phased or multi-site developments. Custom-grown large trees ensure that each phase achieves the same visual and functional quality. This consistency is difficult to achieve when relying on standard nursery inventory that fluctuates over time.
From a risk management standpoint, project-specific tree growing improves predictability. Custom tree farming orders are planned years in advance, allowing tree growth to match construction schedules. This reduces delays and cost escalation caused by last-minute sourcing challenges.
Custom-grown specimen trees also improve transplant outcomes. Because trees are grown with eventual relocation in mind, root systems are managed to support movement and long-term establishment. Specimen tree custom grow programs prioritize health, structure, and adaptability.
By choosing custom grow tree supply early, developers and designers gain control over one of the most influential elements of environmental design, ensuring landscapes deliver immediate impact without sacrificing long term performance.
How does a custom grow specimen trees program work from initial planning through final installation?
A custom grow specimen trees program follows a structured process that integrates planning, cultivation, monitoring, and eventual installation. Custom grow specimen trees begin with detailed collaboration between the client, designers, and tree growing specialists to define project requirements.
The process starts with species selection and specification. Grow-to-spec trees are chosen based on climate, soil conditions, aesthetic goals, and functional needs such as shade or screening. Bespoke tree cultivation plans outline target sizes, growth timelines, and maintenance protocols.
Once specifications are finalized, trees are planted within a custom-sized tree nursery or managed growing site. Custom tree growing service providers oversee irrigation, soil health, pruning, and root development. Project-specific tree growing emphasizes strong structure and transplant readiness rather than rapid, uncontrolled growth.
Throughout the growth period, trees are monitored and documented. Tailored tree growth programs track caliper, height, canopy form, and health indicators. This transparency allows clients to adjust timelines or quantities as project needs evolve.
When installation approaches, trees are prepared for relocation. Custom-grown large trees undergo root conditioning and pre-transplant preparation to improve survival. Custom grow tree supply ensures that trees arrive on site at the specified size and condition.
By managing the entire lifecycle, custom grow specimen trees programs deliver predictable, high-quality results that align biological growth with environmental design objectives.
What types of environmental design projects benefit most from custom-grown specimen trees?
Custom-grown specimen trees are ideal for environmental design projects where mature landscapes are essential at completion. Custom-grown specimen trees are particularly valuable for large-scale, high-visibility, or long-horizon developments that demand precision and consistency.
Commercial campuses, resorts, healthcare facilities, and mixed-use developments benefit significantly from grow to spec trees. These projects often require immediate shade, scale, and visual cohesion that young plantings cannot provide. Custom-grown large trees deliver instant maturity.
Residential master planned communities also rely on bespoke tree cultivation to create cohesive neighborhoods across multiple phases. Project-specific tree growing ensures that later phases match the quality and scale of earlier installations.
Municipal and institutional projects benefit as well. Parks, civic spaces, and streetscapes often have extended planning timelines. Custom tree farming orders allow public agencies to align tree readiness with funding cycles and construction schedules.
Custom-grown specimen trees also support sustainability and mitigation strategies. When tree replacement is required, Custom Grow Tree Supply provides appropriate species and sizes that integrate seamlessly into existing landscapes.
Any project where trees are central design elements rather than decorative additions can benefit from specimen tree custom grow programs that prioritize planning, quality, and long-term performance.
How do custom-grown specimen trees support sustainability, resilience, and long-term landscape performance?
Custom-grown specimen trees support sustainability by aligning tree growth with intentional planning rather than reactive sourcing. Custom grow specimen trees reduce waste, improve survival rates, and enhance long term environmental performance.
Grow-to-spec trees are cultivated under controlled conditions that prioritize health and structure. This results in stronger root systems and better adaptability after installation. Custom-grown large trees require fewer replacements, conserving resources over time.
Bespoke tree cultivation also reduces environmental impact. Trees can be grown closer to their final destination, lowering transportation emissions and improving acclimation. Custom-sized tree nursery practices emphasize efficient water use and soil management.
From a resilience perspective, tailored tree growth programs produce trees that are better suited to site conditions. Species selection and growth management improve resistance to stress, pests, and climate variability.
Custom-grown specimen trees also provide economic sustainability. Custom tree farming orders protect investment by ensuring that trees meet specifications at delivery. Project teams avoid costly last-minute substitutions or delays.
By integrating biology, planning, and design, custom grow tree supply creates landscapes that mature gracefully and perform reliably. Custom-grown specimen trees become long-term assets that strengthen environmental design outcomes for decades.
How do custom-grown specimen trees reduce risk and uncertainty for large-scale and phased development projects?
Custom grow specimen trees reduce risk by transforming tree procurement into a planned, measurable process rather than a reactive one. Custom grow specimen trees allow project teams to secure critical landscape elements early, removing uncertainty around availability, size, and quality as construction timelines evolve.
In large-scale or phased developments, sourcing trees late often leads to compromises. Grow to spec trees eliminates this issue by aligning biological growth with project schedules from the outset. Through a custom tree growing service, developers know exactly which trees will be available, when they will reach target sizes, and how they will perform at installation.
Custom-grown large trees are tracked throughout the growth cycle. Tailored tree growth programs provide transparency into health, caliper progression, and canopy development. This visibility supports accurate budgeting and reduces the likelihood of delays caused by last-minute sourcing challenges.
Project-specific tree growing also minimizes biological risk. Trees are cultivated with relocation in mind, including root conditioning that improves transplant success. Specimen tree custom grow programs result in higher survival rates compared to trees sourced opportunistically.
For multi-phase projects, custom grow tree supply ensures consistency across years or decades. Custom tree farming orders create continuity in species and scale, protecting design intent and reducing uncertainty. By addressing both logistical and biological variables, custom-grown specimen trees give developers greater control and confidence throughout long term environmental design projects.
How do custom-grown specimen trees integrate with specimen tree banking and future tree relocation strategies?
Custom grow specimen trees integrate naturally with specimen tree banking and long-term relocation strategies by preparing trees specifically for future use. Custom-grown specimen trees are often the foundation of a broader tree inventory approach that combines growth, storage, and deployment.
Within a tailored tree growth program, trees are cultivated not only to reach a desired size but also to remain viable for future relocation. Grow-to-spec trees are managed with spacing, pruning, and root development practices that support eventual movement. This makes them ideal candidates for specimen tree banking once they reach target dimensions.
Custom tree growing service providers often coordinate with tree banking programs to transition trees into reserve status. Pre-grown tree inventory can be held until specific projects are ready, creating flexibility without sacrificing quality. Custom tree farming orders ensure that these trees remain dedicated to particular developments or portfolios.
When paired with relocation planning, custom-grown large trees experience less stress and higher survival rates. Project-specific tree growing aligns growth timelines with anticipated installation dates, reducing storage duration and biological risk.
By integrating custom grow tree supply with banking and relocation strategies, organizations create a seamless pipeline from cultivation to installation. This approach strengthens long term environmental design planning and maximizes the value of mature trees as strategic assets.
How do custom-grown specimen trees help achieve immediate landscape maturity and consistent visual outcomes?
Custom-grown specimen trees play a key role in delivering immediate landscape maturity by ensuring that trees meet precise size and form requirements at installation. Custom-grown specimen trees allow environmental design projects to bypass the prolonged establishment period associated with young nursery stock.
Grow-to-spec trees are cultivated to achieve specific canopy widths, trunk calipers, and heights. This precision enables designers to realize their intended spatial relationships and visual balance from day one. Custom-grown large trees provide shade, scale, and structure that define outdoor environments immediately.
Consistency is another major advantage. Through bespoke tree cultivation, designers can specify uniform characteristics across dozens or hundreds of trees. Tailored tree growth programs support cohesive outcomes across large sites or multiple project phases.
Specimen tree custom growth also improves user perception. Landscapes appear intentional, mature, and complete, which is particularly important for commercial properties, public spaces, and residential communities. Custom-sized tree nursery practices ensure that each tree aligns with the overall design narrative.
By aligning growth timelines with design intent, Custom Grow Tree Supply delivers landscapes that feel established rather than transitional. This immediacy enhances both aesthetic and functional performance within environmental design projects.
How do custom-grown specimen trees support municipal, institutional, and public-sector environmental design initiatives?
Custom grow specimen trees support public-sector initiatives by aligning long planning horizons with predictable tree readiness. Custom grow specimen trees allow municipalities and institutions to plan landscapes in parallel with infrastructure, funding, and policy timelines.
Public projects often face uncertainty around schedules and budgets. Project-specific tree growing mitigates this risk by ensuring that trees are cultivated in advance and held until installation. Grow to spec trees gives planners confidence that mature trees will be available when projects proceed.
Custom tree growing service programs support parks, streetscapes, campuses, and civic spaces where a mature canopy is essential. Custom-grown large trees improve public comfort, reduce heat island effects, and enhance long-term environmental performance.
Custom tree farming orders also improve cost efficiency. By planning ahead, public agencies avoid premium pricing and limited availability associated with last-minute sourcing. Custom grow tree supply supports standardized species selection and quality control across projects.
For institutions managing multiple sites, tailored tree growth programs create consistency and resilience. Custom-grown specimen trees become a strategic resource that supports long-term environmental design goals and community well-being.
When should organizations begin planning for custom-grown specimen trees to maximize long-term value?
Custom grow specimen trees should be planned as early as possible to fully realize their long-term value. Custom grow specimen trees are most effective when integrated during master planning, land acquisition, or early entitlement phases rather than late-stage construction.
Early planning allows sufficient time for grow to spec trees to reach target sizes naturally. Bespoke tree cultivation requires years, not months, to achieve optimal results. Tailored tree growth programs align biological timelines with project milestones.
Organizations that initiate custom tree-growing service programs early gain flexibility. Custom tree farming orders can be adjusted as designs evolve, while still maintaining overall quality and consistency. Custom grow tree supply reduces pressure to compromise when schedules shift.
Early adoption also supports sustainability goals. Custom-grown large trees reduce reliance on immature plantings and improve long-term performance. Specimen tree custom grow programs treat trees as strategic assets rather than last-minute purchases.
By starting early, organizations ensure that mature, resilient trees are available exactly when they are needed, reinforcing environmental design outcomes that endure for decades.















