I ordered native plum trees from Gurneys. You get two for qty 1. They have coupons where you get $25 off of a $50 order. I think the plum trees were $19.99 for a pair. So you could get those and probably an apricot or apple for $25 plus shipping (like $10 or so).
Wow, Thank you! Those are more the prices I'd like to pay - I'll definitely check them out!
The weeping Willow I got from Nature Hills was really healthy, pruned to a nice symmetrical shape, and the packaging was exemplary, not too moist or dry, to give it a good start. And it took off as soon as we planted it, probably doubled its height and grew lots of new branches in its first season. But the price, yikes - it was worth it just this once as a gift for Mr. Dog, and I have no doubt we'd be happy ordering from them again, but what they're charging for the fruit trees we'd like would break the bank. I'll look into Gurney's for sure - appreciate your recommendation.
It's likely because the water table in those areas is extremely low. Areas like parts of Colorado and California are at risk of or already suffering extreme drought. Collecting rainwater and preventing it from replenishing the water table can speed up the problem. That said, you would think that collecting rainwater in closed vessels prevents evaporation loss and it would add to the water table once it's used. The problem there is much of it could go down drains from home use or get contaminated with pesticides and other chemical agents from the way it's used before entering the water table. With a low water table, contaminants would have a larger impact. The theory then is let nature take its course and stay out of its way.
Thanks, that makes sense and it's good information. It's logical that places with a threatened water table would need to preserve the most direct, uncontaminated, uninterrupted source of water (rain) to replenish it. But where the rain falls and where it goes afterwards makes more of a difference, at least in my opinion - rain falls on chemical-enhanced residential lawns, on dirty vehicles and dirty roads, on raw-manure retention ponds from feedlots - and all of it goes into the groundwater, either directly or through the local wastewater treatment plant.
It would make more sense (again, just an opinion) to limit certain chemicals across the board rather than banning using rainwater.