The Fruit Tree Guy – Let’s Grow Some Fruit!
- Shelly Peterson
- Apr 13
- 2 min read
Listen to Podcast Here: The Fruit Tree Guy
Right here in the Northland, where many assume fruit trees struggle to survive, one local entrepreneur is changing the narrative—one root at a time.
Meet The Fruit Tree Guy, a passion-driven business launched by Cloquet’s own Mark Plemel. What started as frustration with failed big-box store tree purchases has grown into a niche, sustainability-focused venture bringing high-quality, climate-appropriate fruit trees to our region.
🌳 A Better Way to Grow
Mark specializes in bare root fruit trees, and if that’s new to you, you’re not alone. It’s a concept that’s quickly gaining traction for all the right reasons.
Unlike traditional potted trees, bare root trees:
Develop stronger, healthier root systems
Experience less transplant shock
Are better suited for local soil conditions
Grow faster and stronger
Cost 30–50% less than comparable potted trees
Even better? They’re environmentally friendly. No plastic pots. No excess soil. No unnecessary waste. Just trees, roots, and a smarter way to grow.
“Why pay more for a plastic pot you don’t need only to get a tree with fewer roots?” Mark puts it simply—and it makes perfect sense.
🍎 Not Just Apples…
Think fruit trees can’t thrive this far north? Think again.
The Fruit Tree Guy offers a wide variety of trees specifically selected for our climate, including:
Apple & Crabapple
Apricot
Cherry
Peach
Pear
Plum
Nitrogen-fixing trees
These aren’t generic imports. They’re regionally appropriate varieties designed to succeed right here in Northern Minnesota.
🌿 Simple, Smart, Local
Mark has made the process easy:
Order online
Pick up locally in Cloquet
Plant and grow
Pickup is offered through scheduled curbside dates in May, with flexible evening options as needed. And if you’re not sure what to choose? Mark offers custom recommendations and even a plant-it-for-you service.
🌼 Rooted in Passion & Community
By day, Mark is a mechanical engineer. But his real passion? Growing trees that produce fruit, support pollinators, and help restore a stronger, more sustainable local food system.
He’s also sharing his knowledge through:
Classes at the Duluth Folk School
Community Education programs
Educational outreach to help others succeed
At home, he’s cultivating his own small orchard. Living proof of what’s possible.
🌎 Growing More Than Trees
The Fruit Tree Guy isn’t just about selling trees—it’s about:
Restoring local fruit-growing success
Reducing environmental impact
Empowering the community to grow their own food
It’s practical. It’s sustainable. And it’s exactly the kind of innovation that makes a true Hidden Gem.
Let’s grow something meaningful—right here at home. 🌱🍎
📞 218-451-3222
📍 Tree Pickup Warehouse:
701 Laurel Street,
Cloquet, MN
📱 Facebook available for updates & ordering:
Comments