Little Tree Farm
Start Your Food Forest Garden Today!
Butternuts, Black Walnut, Chestnut, Buartnut, Elderberry and more...
Nut Trees
Grow Your Food Forest With Edible Nuts In The Garden
Discover the power of nature with our premium selection of nut trees. From the majestic Black Walnut to the versatile Hazelnut, our nursery offers hardy trees that thrive in Canadian climates.
Perfect for creating food forests, sustainable gardens, or adding value to your property.
Key Benefits:
Sustainable Growth: Nut trees provide a long-term food source for you and your family.
Hardy and Resilient: Grown to withstand Canadian climates with ease.
Eco-Friendly Choice: Support local biodiversity and rewild your garden.
Variety of Nuts: Choose from Black Walnut, Hazelnut, Butternut, Chestnut and more.
Why Choose Bare Root Nut Trees?
Bare root trees are grown without the use of containers or pots.
The roots of the tree are free to move and expand.
This gives them a healthier start when transplanted.
How Do I Care for Nut Trees?
When you plant your bare root nut trees you should dig a hole one and a half times the size of the root mass.
Add compost or other soil amendments to your hole and mix with your already dug earth.
Plant your trees and water them well with a good first drink.
Add mulch around your tree.
Use woodchips, straw, hay, leaves, sawdust, etc.
Water your new trees over dry spells.
The mulch will help retain water.
What’s the Best Time to Plant?
Spring and Autumn are ideal times for planting bare root trees.
The trees are in a stage of dormancy. It’s like they are asleep.
In the springtime when the ground temperature rises,
Each specific tree will start to break their buds, leaf out and wake up.
Hardy Fruit Trees
Transform Your Garden into an Orchard of Abundance
Our fruit trees are specially cultivated to thrive in Canadian climates.
Offering a rich harvest from early summer to late autumn.
From the vibrant Gooseberry to the antioxidant-rich Blueberry.
Each tree is a testament to nature’s bounty.
Perfect for creating your berry patch or food forest garden.
Key Benefits:
Seasonal Variety: Enjoy fruits ripening from summer to autumn.
Perfect for Any Space: Choose tall fruit and nut trees for orchards or compact shrubs for smaller gardens.
Attract Pollinators: Support bees and butterflies while growing delicious fruit.
Sustainable Living: Fresh, organic fruit and nuts straight from your garden.
What Makes Bare Root Fruit Trees Special?
Bare root fruit trees should be planted while the tree is
dormant and has not formed any leaves yet.
But, if you can take care of the tree while it’s in the leafy
stage then planting a bare root fruit tree is still possible.
Planting the bare root tree while it is dormant and letting it
leaf out in it’s permanent planted home is best.
How Much Space Do I Need?
Each tree or shrub requires it’s own space to grow to it’s true shape.
This can also be a personal choice.
Think of a forest enviroment.
The trees all still grow next to each other.
If planting for maximum fruit and nut tree production
then some minimum spacing is recommended.
Check each individual tree for spacing requirements.
Do These Trees Thrive in Cold Climates?
Yes! All our fruit trees are hardy and perfect for Canadian weather.
Each Canadian province and even your own local area has it’s own “Hardiness Zone”
Check your hardiness zone with each tree you are planning to plant.
Every year there are people pushing the boundaries of growing
and planting trees and shrubs into lower and colder hardiness zones.
That is how we are able to get newer and more resilient plants and trees.
Featured Plants
Buartnut Trees
Buartnut: Japanese Heartnut & Butternut Hybrid
Looking to add something extraordinary to your garden? Meet the Buartnut tree – a fascinating hybrid that brings together the best of Japanese Heartnut and Butternut traditions. Born from centuries of natural selection, this hardy tree has made itself right at home in Nova Scotia’s varied climate, thriving alongside our native nut trees.
What makes it truly special? When you plant a Buartnut, you’re not just growing a tree – you’re nurturing a piece of living history. Its heart-shaped nuts carry the buttery sweetness of Butternut while showing off the vigor of its Japanese heritage. Whether you’re starting a food forest or just want a beautiful shade tree that gives back, the Buartnut fits perfectly into any landscape.
What To Love About Buartnut Trees:
Produces sweet, heart-shaped nuts in abundant clusters (often 10+ per cluster)- Grows beautifully in both clay and sandy soils
Creates tropical-like shade while letting grass flourish underneath 
Reaches majestic heights of up to 50 feet-
Shows remarkable disease resistance 
Bears nuts annually once established-
Perfect companion for other nut and fruit trees
How big will my Buartnut tree get?
These beauties can reach up to 50 feet tall when fully grown. But don’t worry – they start out as manageable 1-3 foot saplings when we send them to you.
Will my tree give me nuts every year
Yes! That’s one of the things we love about Buartnuts – they’re reliable producers, typically bearing nuts every year once they’re established.
Do I need more than one tree?
For the best nut harvest, you’ll want at least two Buartnut trees. They’re social creatures and need a buddy nearby for pollination. Think of it as double the beauty and double the nuts!
When can I plant my tree?
We ship our bare-root Buartnuts twice a year – in spring and fall. These are the perfect times to get your tree in the ground and starting its new life in your yard.
Native Plants
Restore Your Garden with Local Species
Ever wondered what makes a garden truly Canadian? Our native plants tell the story of our landscape, from the towering American Elm to the cheerful Wild Blueberry and Pussy Willow.
These aren’t just any plants – they’re the ones that grew here long before gardens existed, perfectly in tune with our soils and seasons.
Key Benefits:
- 🌳 True Natives: From Butternut to Yarrow, these plants have called Canada home for thousands of years
- 🦊 Wildlife Friendly: Watch as birds, butterflies, and small creatures make your garden their home
- ❄️ Weather Wise: These plants laugh at our winters and thrive in our summers
- 🌿 Mixed Garden Ready: Plant alongside your fruit trees and garden favorites
- 🌎 Heritage Heroes: Every native plant helps preserve our natural landscape
What's Special About Our Native Plants?
We grow everything right here in Nova Scotia soil. From American Highbush Cranberry to Elderberry, each plant comes with generations of local wisdom built right in. They’re ready to grow strong and show off their natural beauty in your garden.
How Fast Do Native Plants Grow?
Growth rates vary naturally. American Elm and Butternut trees can grow 1-2 feet per year in good conditions. Smaller plants like Yarrow and Aronia establish quickly, usually showing full growth within 2-3 seasons. Remember – the first year they sleep, second year they creep, third year they leap!
Will Native Plants Survive My Winter?
Absolutely! Our native plants have evolved with Canadian winters. The American Elm, Butternut, and Arrowwood Viburnum don’t just survive winter – they need that cold period to thrive. When dormant, these plants can handle temperatures well below -30°C.
How Do I Create a Native Plant Garden?
Start with anchor plants like American Elm or Butternut for structure. Add shrub layers with Elderberry or Aronia, then fill in with smaller plants like Yarrow. Plant in groups of 3-5 for the best visual impact and wildlife benefit.
What Our Clients Say
FAQ: Growing Your Food Forest
Get answers to your most common questions about growing a food forest in Eastern Canada.
From selecting the right nut trees and fruit bushes to understanding bare root planting and seasonal care, here are the steps to creating your own edible landscape.
Whether you’re starting with a few berry bushes or planning a complete food forest, discover how our Nova Scotia-grown plants can transform your space into a productive garden that will feed generations to come.
Our nursery specializes in cold-hardy nut trees that thrive in Canadian climates:
- Black Walnut – grows up to 50ft
- Butternut Trees – naturally buttery flavor
- Heartnut Trees – sweet nutty taste
- Hazelnut Trees – perfect for hedges
- Buartnut Trees – disease-resistant hybrid
Creating a sustainable food forest starts with understanding layers.
Plant tall nut trees like Black Walnut or Butternut as your canopy layer.
Add fruit trees such as American Persimmon in the middle.
Incorporate berry bushes like elderberry and blackcurrant as your understory.
Native plants complete the ecosystem.
Spring, when the soil thaws, is the ideal time to begin your food forest journey.
Several of our plants make excellent edible hedges:
- Hazelnut trees (12ft height) – productive nut hedge
- Black Currant (Ribes nigrum) – shade tolerant
- Red Currant bushes – perfect boundary markers
- Elderberry shrubs – wildlife-friendly barrier
- Aronia Melanocarpa – hardy native barrier
Our plants are uniquely adapted to Eastern Canadian conditions.
Having been nurtured in our Wentzell Lake nursery.
They’re are acclimatized to the northern hemisphere seasons.
We are in a good balance between planting zones.
Our plants will survive in all different zone types.
Each plant is unique to thriving in certain conditions.
Check each plant for specific cold hardiness.
Our plant are grown for stronger growth and better survival rates in your garden.
It’s simple!
Our bare root shipping method ensures you get healthy plants that will quickly become established in your garden.
- Trees are shipped dormant in Spring (April-May)
- Roots carefully wrapped, protected and kept moist on their journey to your door.
- No pots or soil = Bare root plants = Easier to ship
- Better root development in your native soil
- Easier planting and establishment.
The best time to order is during the winter.
We will then ship your plants in the spring.
This gives you time to decide where to plant all your trees in the garden.
We ship bare root plants twice a year.
Springtime (April-May) and Fall (around November).
Planting during these dormant seasons when the plants don’t have leaves in their resting period.
Gives them a chance to wake up in their permanent locations at your property.
Since we grow limited quantities of each variety, especially our popular nut trees and berry bushes.
Early ordering ensures you get the all the plants you want for your edible landscape.
Happy Planting!!