Q&A with Connor Bunovsky

Photo: Connor Bunovsky

Located in Connecticut, Canterbury Tree Farm specializes in growing B&B trees. Known for specimen, high quality products, the nursery services re-wholesalers and high-end landscapers across New England and the Mid-Atlantic. As production manager and head grower of the nursery, Connor Bunovsky is passionate about growing trees and enjoys working out in the field.

NM: How did you get started in horticulture?

CB: My father always had a passion for trees, and he started TLC Wholesale Nursery in 1991 in Monroe, Connecticut, and he bought a farm in Canterbury, Connecticut, in 2002 to grow nursery stock. Now Canterbury Tree Farm is over 250 acres B&B. In 2019, I graduated from UConn (University of Connecticut) with a bachelor’s degree in agri-economics and an associate’s degree in horticulture. In the middle of my college career, I did an internship at Carlton Plants which got acquired by Bailey Nurseries, and I worked out in Oregon for 12 weeks. It was an incredible experience and almost more valuable than my four years’ worth of college. I wouldn’t be where I am today without doing that and being mentored by John Bartch and his team. I cycled around through the company from propagation, pruning, to working in the coolers and really learning about what it takes and the passion that’s needed to be successful.

NM: Do you have a first memory of being at the family nursery?

CB: I remember potting plants after school, not the most fun job but necessary to learn the process. If [my brother and I] weren’t playing sports, we would take another bus, and the bus would drop us off at the nursery because the work is endless. [My dad] always said if you’re not playing sports after school, you’re going to come and pot plants. So, we just tried playing as many sports as possible (laughs).

NM: What is your favorite part of the job?

CB: I like to see where the trees go. We specialize in higher-end residential and commercial, so I like seeing the end product at these houses and seeing a part of our nursery there. I also enjoy putting in my headphones and pruning, but obviously that’s just one little aspect of it. I have some friends that do finance, and they think, “oh, trees, you just plant them, and they grow.” It’s a lot more than that (laughs). It’s hard work. ... About three years ago, we transitioned to all drip irrigation on our farm which has benefited our growing. Our consistency is getting better and better every year through pruning, irrigation and spraying.

NM: What’s advice would you give to someone looking into working in this industry?

CB: Have a passion for what you are doing. In order to be the best, you must have passion, almost obsession to a point. It’s a lifestyle, not a job. If you’re passionate about it, then you’re going to have good material.

NM: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?

CB: I enjoy the simple things in life like eating good food, going to the beach, playing with my puppy and spending time with my girlfriend.