Where to buy trees overseas?

[TrashStar]

Hello! So, my friend just purchased land in Gambia and he would love to import some trees, whether they’re multi-buddes or standard to add depth to his new home with good eats. If you’re an overseas seller, (He’s in the UK at the moment) please let me know below. I would love to pass your information to someone that has worked very hard to have a new home, filled with the most delicious fruit trees! Thank you!!!

[Mvule101]

Great question for those of us who live in Africa!

Officially importing plants is a daunting and expensive process. It would need some good contacts of people who would know the system in the receiving country due to the bureaucracy involved. Getting the necessary permits would most likely be very time consuming too. I'm sure you can find plenty of exporters in Europe, US or Thailand who would be willing to send plants for a price. It is their arrival in the Gambia where things would get complicated.

Here in Uganda, I have focused buying seeds. Its a long game but the postal system works well for small packages and they tend to fly under the radar.

Small plants can be brought in in people's carry-on or even check in but that is illegal. But this seems to work for some people.

The other way to look for local contacts in the Gambia or the surrounding nations, There is bound to be more available than you think. This is where Facebook groups can be really helpful.

Hope that helps

[Felipe]

I know a few nurseries in Europ selling tropical fruit trees. But after Brexit I don't know if they can send plants to Uk and I don't know if they would send plants to Gambia.

Shipping plants is risky and very expensive. My advice is to start with seeds, which grow very fast in tropical climate. Seeds can survive weeks and even month in the mail, while plants are very perishable. Later he can also consider ordering budwood for grafting...

Here are good nurseries in Spain:

https://www.canarius.com
https://frutalestropicales.com
https://www.campodebenamayor.es/comprar-online/
https://www.fitoagricola.net/es/tienda-online/Catalog/listing/frutales-42264/1
http://www.viverosbrokaw.com/shop/

[Pedroboy]

Hi there Felipe -
Just out of curiosity, I'm wondering if you've personally made any purchases from Fruitales Tropicales. I ask b/c on their sales page they often list a Macadamia cultivar - Waimanalo - that comes highly recommended at the Calif. Rare Fruit Growers website, but strangely I can't manage to find a single nurseryman that grows it here in the US.

I've sent several emails to FT - really just to inquire about THEIR source for the Waimanalo trees they sell, but I get no reply.  Very disappointing to finally have a small lead in my search, but not to be able to follow up on it.

Thanks for any input you might have.

Chris