My background is a Professional Tree Buyer for 8 years now, a BS in horticulture and a passion for trees. I have a few comments.....
First a Container grown tree is inferior to a B&B tree in 9 out of 10 cases given both are a top quality outfit. However there is a place for the container tree farms.
First being in Texas you are slightly out of my market. I buy typically from the Carolina's, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, TN. I do get stuff from Texas, but not as often as my Tree buddies (growers) send things that way.
The tree market has been pretty cut throat for the last three years on this side of the country a drop in almost 65% of the market value on many trees. The container prices you listed are fairly reasonable to within the limits of what I would spend.
A few things that I have seen. Mobile home stakes. Not sure what the are used for on mobile homes, but I know a container grower that uses them to keep his trees in the big cans from blowing over.
Drip Irrigation is good, but if a head clogs and you dont catch it kiss that tree goodbye. Probably a good option for a startup farm, but you may want to keep in mind a sprinkler irrigation system that has a 100% run off capture rate into a retention pond. Wight's Monrovia in lower Georgia has industry leading retention pond that cleans the nitrates and other chemicals from the water so that it can be returned back to the enviroment when the rain brings to much water. Very interesting. Since they have done it in conjunction with the EPA and Government I am sure they would talk to you about it. If interested I can find you a contact.
I have seen people use a rubber mulch on the top of the pot for weeds. That way you pull it before you ship and slap it on the next tree.
Most of the time growers are friends in these parts. I am sure you will find some that are willing to give some advice. Join ANLA and attend a local trade show. Wow the things you will find and see your first time to a major Nursery Trade Show. Also you may want to consider buying American Standards for Nursery Stock ANSI Z60.1-1996. While it is not an answer all type book, it does provide some basic technical data that some particular buyers will hold as a minimum.
The biggest thing I can stress, is product diversity. I have seen many farms struggle, and while many of your more diverse product may not sell as fast it helps some buyers fill out an order. (example: Quite often I am buying 6 Chioanthus. I cant ship just six trees. So I will look for a grower that has my Chioanthus and then I order the 50 Acer, or 50 Quercus that I may need plus the Chioanthus to make a truck for shipping.)
In addition the cycles come and go. What is hot right now, will 80% of the time be not in 2 years, and what is a glutton right now is gone soon thereafter. Two Years ago I was buying 100 River Birch at a time 24' in height for $80.00. Right now they are few and far between. Dont get on the backside of this curve. If you are reacting to a market trend typically you are to late. Becuase as you know a tree doesnt grow in 6 or nine months.
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