Live trees

Only load of trees I've hauled to date is a load of cut Christmas trees.

Shipper put high 2x4s in my stake pockets and nailed them in place. Then they strapped the ever-loving crap outta the load. I had to tighten down about every 30-50 miles for the first 150 miles until everything settled enough to get tight.

 

Talked to the customer today, they have their own trucks.
Another option is to have a side kit. 6"high side boards that fit in stake pockets like a fence.
He said they only strap first and last row of trees and put 6 - 1" ropes over tarp to hold the rest in place.
I think I will keep strapping every other row.
I think that would work ok with smaller potted plants. Not balled trees.

Good luck

 

Like yourself, I have only hauled trees once. The shipper and the receiver handled all aspects of loading, tarping, untarping, and unloading. The only thing I had to do was throw a strap every second row, careful not to over tighten them and break the trunks.

As you noted, it's necessary to add extra rope or bungies after you are underway, to keep the mesh tarp from taking up two lanes.

 

Am actually surprised their using a flat bed you;ll have to tarp and strap it down really well then there's the risk when you do tie it down of breaking branches, i had to pick up a load of trees too, just young ones going to go in the back yards of newly constructed homes, however i had a reefer so they just threw them all in no chaining, roping, or straps required.