The Roy Davis family relocated from his birthplace in Fitzgerald, Georgia to Brandon, Florida. After high school, Roy attended the University of Florida in 1953 he later graduated with a Bachelors degree in Ornamental Horticulture. After graduation, he served in the United States Air Force until January until January of 1957. Upon his return to the Tampa area, Roy purchased a small lot in Belmont Heights and built a small mist house and nursery. It soon became obvious the money would run out before the income started coming in. To supplement income, Roy managed the garden department at the Sears store located at 22nd Street and Hillsborough Avenue for more than 2 years. Then, Roy opened and managed the garden department at the Dale Mabry Avenue, Montgomery Ward store. In 1960, Roy and his wife, Leta, purchased 20 acres in Eastern Hillsborough County. In 1961, Roy started Davis Landscape Company, while Leta started taking care of a holding area and raising plants for the landscape jobs.
After their son, Steve, graduated from Chipola Junior College in 1978 and returned to the nursery-landscape operation, it was soon realized that growing plants is what everyone loved. The landscape company was phased out and the emphasis was put on raising plants. After filling the original 20 acres with plants, another 41 acres were acquired over several years.
In 1980, while Tampa Wholesale Nursery was growing at the McIntosh Road location, Roy and family purchased 62 acres on Gallagher Road and started building Big Tree Nursery. Steve is the General Manager of the two nurseries and oversees the operation at both locations. In 1987, Steve’s brother Mike rejoined the family business and now helps to manage Big Tree Nursery as well as assisting with shipping plant materials.
Tampa Wholesale Nursery has grown to over 120 acres, with an average of 70 employees and over 130 different varieties of shrubs and trees ranging in size from 1 gallon to 100 gallons.
We are known for our customer service, which includes delivery to the Southeastern United States. Among the primary customers whom we serve our Landscape Contractors, Municipalities, Lawn Maintenance Contractors, Brokers and Independent Garden Shops and Nurseries. We look forward to serving the needs of the industry as well as yours.