Local is best—when you can get it. . . and when they’re not charging McKinleys for apple trees(!). I’ve bought great plants at a very fair price from Peaceful Heritage Nursery in Stanford, KY, which is just about a 25-30 minute drive from here. Blake, the owner, is a knowledgeable, helpful and all-around very nice guy. Nice selection—especially for a small, family-run operation. He also ships.
Hidden Springs in Cookeville, TN, has a smaller selection, and the plants are generally on the small side, but they tend to be healthy and very reasonably priced. They are helpful and prompt to reply.
Of the larger outfits, I’ve had the most consistent luck with One Green World. Prices aren’t the best or worst—certainly won’t be paying $500 bucks for an apple tree!—, but the stock I’ve received from them has usually been good to excellent.
I’ve not dealt with them myself, but my folks bought some pear trees from Grandpa’s Orchard years ago, and those were definitely some of the biggest, nicest bare-root trees I’ve ever seen. If ever I can get more land, time, money and energy, I ought to try them out one of these days.