Bentley Ridge Tree Farm & Nursery — Attraction in Grimes

Bought a nice tree from Bentley Ridge Tree Farm and they planted the tree just over a year ago. A very small hole was dug by Bentley Ridge Tree Farm. With a little pushing the dirt and clay hole dug barely fit the root ball . I consulted Bentley Ridge tree Farm several times asking for advice why the tree was not thriving. They were more than happy to sell me anti-fungus spray and root growing food. I consulted with other people and a reputable arborist only to find out that the tree was improperly planted in the Waukee Clay. The whole dug by Bentley Tree, Farm should have been 2 to 3 times larger. The tree longevity was doomed from the beginning. The tree never had a chance to spread out his root system. The arborist suggested removing some dirt, creating a larger area around the tree and backfilling it with dirt not clay. I went back to Bentley tree Farm and showed him photos and what the arborist had said. They said that’s the way they plant them and they had no interest in helping me with the tree. So if you plant a tree in a small hole with lots of clay the tree will not make it much further than their warranty. They sell you all kinds of products so you can try to save your tree when they know the tree hole should have been much bigger when planted. If you’re not buying a tree or just asking to purchase a product, their attitude can be very unpleasant, uncaring and very nasty . They become almost hostile, when suggesting replacing the tree, or digging around the tree to make the hole bigger. So buyer beware when it comes to planting your new tree. They really don’t care how it was planted only that they got the tree and product sales.

Response to the owner: The other eight trees that you mentioned were placed in a different area with a different soil composition. The holes were much bigger for those trees. The tree were talking about was dug in clay and they had a difficult time digging. The hole was just large enough to shove a tree root ball into. No mention at the time of digging the hole larger and backfilling it with more dirt at my expense. That would’ve been the proper procedure. There were more trees to be planted with other customers, so they just put it in the clay and moved on. Buyer beware if they start digging to plant a tree and run into Clay right away. Obviously I was a good customer because of all the previous trees and product products I have bought there. Good customer support does not exist here when there’s a problem and it affects their...

I came to Bentley Ridge Tree Farms and Nursery to find some ground cover for a corner of my house where poor drainage, erosion, and those dang little cute, annoying, property destroying ground squirrels had destroyed a limestone retaining wall that I had. When I got there all I had was a few pics I took from the internet of some ideas I researched from the night before. Let me preface this, I do NOT like to shop and dreaded being there for hours, and was basically clueless of what to do! Then I was introduced to Jasmarie, she was AMAZING!! She was extremely knowledgeable and passionate, I showed her pics of my house and what I was looking for and then that girl was on a mission!! With little hesitation we were off and running, she already had her vision for my needs! She shared her ideas, asked for my opinion and I was just in awe of her and so delighted she made this dreaded chore an actual enjoyable learning experience for me and being a retired teacher I appreciated it! I just sat back and let her take the reins, as through her knowledge and passion she earned my trust! She showed me how I should organize the plants for when I got home, made me take pics, and continued to answer questions after I got home and started planting. It was an unexpected pleasure to meet and work with Jasmarie I would definitely recommend her for all your...

My fiancé and I planted an autumn gold ginkgo tree in front of our house in honor of my departed mother. Also my grandpa had a theory that ginkgo leaves bring good luck, so I really wanted that particular tree, and the store didn't disappoint for variety of types of ginkgo sizes.

The salesperson who helped us, Erin, was super instructive and kind, from selecting the best tree for our house to helping assure us that we could transport the tree ourselves in our hatchback rather than needing delivery. I consider that good service, because you'd think any other store would just say "sure we'll deliver it" to pocket a few extra coins. Erin also drove the tree on a golf cart to our car in the parking lot, wrapped twine around it, put plastic down to prevent soil getting in the car, and double checked it was secure enough to make the trip home. Even though I road in the back to ensure it wouldn't rattle and roll, it barely budged an inch because it was so securely tied. The store also has a one-year warranty on their trees and they provide a pamphlet on how to plant, water, and stake it. I love it already!

I definitely recommend this store. It's in an older area of Grimes by the cornfields and tucked away in a smaller area of the DSM metro, but it's...