Jujube trees have always been very expensive. Here’s a post from 6 years ago, where the vendors I compared charged $38 to $60. That’s actually adding shipping (4 tree hypothetical order, divided per tree). Without the shipping, it was more like $30-48 per tree, depending on vendor. And back then, most quality, good sized fruit trees were about $20-30 on the high end (Cummins, ACN, Grandpa’s…quality places) and less at places like Burnt Ridge.
Jujube at Just Fruits and Exotics:
2011- $40
2015- $46
2017- $46
2018- $65
2019- $60 grafted, $65-70 own roots
Now, the 3 gal tree (which is what all of the above were) is $100. They’ve introduced a 1gal version for $60.
But Jujubes are something you really want to start with a big one. Using a 5/8"-3/4" tree as a baseline, a 3/8" tree is about a year behind it. And a 3/16" tree (like the 1gal OGW trees) is at least 2 years behind. Could be more if you just plant it and let nature do it’s thing. I’m sure that in some parts of the country with more sun you would see a much shorter gap and they would size up quickly. It would also help if you keep it fertilized and watered (babied…) rather than just planting it and waiting which can take a LONG time. I have some of those 3/16" trees which are 7 years old and almost as big as my 2020 plantings. And that is with me starting to baby them more in the last few years. I have one which was in an inconvenient location (far from hose) and it was still 3’ tall this spring when I transplanted it. I don’t mind getting small peaches, as I’ve seen them get to 12’ by the end of the 2nd year. The only way that is happening with a jujube is if you start with a 3/4" caliper, lots of roots, and give it optimal conditions.
Right now, the two places I would consider for good sized 5/8"+ trees are Grow Organic and Trees of Antiquity “only” $57-$65.
Chinese Red Date is also worth considering, as they have a lot more varieties. They are generally a bit smaller (3/8"-1/2"), but are pretty good trees and not too pricey at $40, though there is an extra cost (worth it IMO) for the uncommon varieties.
Edit: Forgot to include link: