Shipping Trees, Shrubs, and Plants: A Nursery’s Guide to Safe Transport
You work hard to grow healthy, vibrant plants, but getting them to customers in perfect condition isn’t always easy. One misstep in logistics—whether it’s the wrong temperature or poor handling—can destroy a shipment, hurting both revenue and customer relationships. And with the spring season just around the corner, now is the perfect time to revisit your nursery transportation strategy.
Whether you’re moving trees, shrubs, and perennials across town or across state lines, knowing what challenges to expect (and how to plan for them) can help keep your nursery shipments stress-free and profitable all season long.
What Makes Plant Transportation So Challenging?
Shipping plants or flowers isn’t as simple as loading them up in a truck and hitting the road. Delicate live shipments need the right conditions, careful handling, and a plan that accounts for potential issues along the way. One wrong move can mean stressed, damaged, or even unsellable inventory. The good news? With a little planning and the right transportation partners, you can overcome the challenges and deliver healthy, happy plants every time.
Temperature Control and Seasonal Shipping Constraints
Spring and summer bring sunshine and warmer temps, but along with it they bring additional challenges in keeping your precious plants cool in transit. Heat stress leads to wilting and dehydration, potentially killing plants before they even reach their destination. Nurseries in cooler, humid climates or those that ship hyper-locally over short distances might be able to get by with well-ventilated trailers, but for more sensitive species or shipments that move across a larger region, temperature-controlled reefers are the better, safer option.
That’s where things can get tricky. Refrigerated trucks are in high demand, especially during produce season (which inconveniently overlaps with the high nursery season), so securing one isn’t always easy. Many carriers prefer food shipments over plants, and some won’t take the risk of hauling soil or greenery in their food-grade trailers. Even when reefers are available, they can be pricey, and capacity shortages make scheduling tough.
If you’re shipping heat-sensitive plants, timing and planning are everything. Booking transportation well in advance, keeping an eye on shifting weather patterns, and working with providers who understand nursery freight can keep shipments on track—even when the pressure is on.
Multi-Pick and Multi-Drop Shipments
Nursery shipments often don’t follow a straight line from point A to point B. Many orders include deliveries to multiple locations—like garden centers, wholesalers, or large retail chains that need stock replenished at several stores. Some shipments even require multiple pickup locations if nurseries are consolidating freight from different farms or greenhouses. The more stops involved, the more complicated the logistics become.
Poor route planning can turn these shipments into logistical nightmares. A poorly designed route adds unnecessary miles, increases transit time, and can lead to delays that put plant health at risk. On top of that, many carriers are hesitant to take on multi-stop loads since they require extra coordination and can throw off their schedules.
When done right, multi-stop deliveries can be an efficient way to move plants while keeping costs under control. But to pull it off, nurseries need a transportation plan that prioritizes smart routing to minimize transit times and make the job more appealing to picky carriers.
Packing and Handling Risks
How a plant is packed before shipping can be the difference between an easy delivery and a load full of damaged, unsellable inventory. Unlike standard freight in boxes and pallets, nursery shipments require special handling to prevent shifting, crushing, or drying out in transit. Even a well-routed, temp-controlled shipment can go wrong if plants aren’t packed and secured in the truck properly.
Things to consider when packing up your plants include:
Use stabilized containers. Secure plants in sturdy trays, racks, or palletized loads to prevent movement and minimize the risk of tipping or crushing.
Ensure proper ventilation. Closed packaging or tight stacking can trap heat and moisture, leading to mold or mildew. Airflow is critical, especially in warmer months.
Manage moisture levels. Keeping roots hydrated is essential, but excessive humidity can promote rot. Try using moisture-retaining wraps and avoid overwatering before transit.
Prevent rough handling. Plants are especially vulnerable at loading and unloading points. Forklift damage, excessive stacking, and careless transfers can all cause irreversible harm.
Proper packing ensures your plants arrive looking just as fresh and healthy as when they left. This helps protect your profits, speeds up unloading, and keeps customers coming back for more.
Compliance with Federal and State Regulations
Shipping nursery plants across state lines isn’t as simple as loading a truck and sending it on its way. Regulations vary from state to state, and failing to follow them can lead to annoying delays, expensive fines, or even a rejected shipment—a costly mistake you can’t afford to make.
Some compliance factors to keep in mind:
Many states require inspections and certifications before your shipment can come in, especially for regulated plant species.
Quarantine laws restrict certain plants to prevent the spread of pests and diseases. What’s allowed in one state may be prohibited in another.
Proper documentation is essential. If paperwork isn’t in order and plants aren’t properly labeled at an inspection checkpoint, your shipment could be held up, putting plant health and delivery timelines at risk.
The best way to avoid surprises? Check regulations before you ship. The National Plant Board has a state-by-state breakdown of plant shipping laws—make it part of your pre-shipping checklist.
Limited Carrier Availability for Nursery Freight
Finding a truck for your plants isn’t always as simple as making a few calls—especially in peak season. Spring shipping demand surges when produce and nursery shipments compete for the same reefer capacity, making it harder (and more expensive) to secure space.
Why some carriers hesitate to haul plant freight:
Food shippers get priority. Many reefers are booked solid with produce, leaving fewer available for nurseries.
Plants are messy. Some carriers avoid hauling nursery loads because of soil, moisture, or debris that can be tough to clean out before their next shipment.
Multi-stop deliveries aren’t appealing. Many nursery shipments involve multiple drops, adding complexity that some carriers would rather avoid.
With limited truck availability, securing capacity early is the best way to avoid delays and inflated costs. Working with a transportation provider who understands nursery freight can help you lock in reliable options before capacity disappears.
Choosing the Right Logistics Partner for Nursery Shipments
Not all logistics providers are good at handling the unique demands of nursery transportation. Live plants require specialized handling, temperature control, and efficient, smart routing—things that some freight carriers simply aren’t always ready for.
The right logistics partner understands the complexities of plant shipping and has access to carriers with the right equipment for the job. This includes:
Reefers for temperature-sensitive loads to prevent heat stress and dehydration.
Flatbeds for larger trees and oversized nursery stock that can’t fit in a standard trailer.
Expedited services for must-go shipments that need to reach their destination fast (including reefer sprinters and straight trucks).
Regional carriers who know the best routes for multi-stop nursery deliveries.
With the right transportation partner, you can secure reliable capacity, coordinate complex shipments, and stay compliant with regulations—all while ensuring plant and tree freight arrives healthy and on time.
TFWW Manchester: Plan Ahead for a Smooth Shipping Season
At TFWW Manchester, we know that getting your plants to their destination in perfect condition takes expertise and experience. We work with nurseries to secure the right carriers, plan multi-stop routes, and ensure shipments meet state and federal regulations. Whether you need temperature-controlled reefers, flatbeds for oversized loads, or expedited trucking for time-sensitive shipments, we have the network and experience to get it done.
Spring is one of the busiest seasons for nursery shipping, and truck availability gets tight fast. Don’t wait until the last minute—contact TFWW Manchester today to discuss your plant transportation needs and secure capacity before peak season hits.