Hauling new shrubs on a utility trailer, from nursery

Can you cover the top with a tarp to reduce wind damage?

Three gallon plants? Lay them down with the pots facing into the wind. Saves them a lot of wind burn.

Yes, about a thousand times. How many 3gal shrubs and pic of the trailer?

But yes, it is advisable to have at least a mesh tarp to cover.

Depends on what type of plants or trees. If they are large leaf tree and have already set leaves then expect a lot of loss and damage. If its a fern type plant or shrub maybe not as much. Tarps are an absolute pain in the butt to keep cinched tight in the wind on this type of load.

I rented an enclosed trailer locally for the day the last couple trips to forrest hill. Was less than $100 and well worth the money for less stress. Last time up i got 300 - 5 gal bamboo plants into a 16ft enclosed trailer and had plenty room to spare.

Could rent a U-haul truck

Hauling them that far you really need to cover them with a tarp to prevent wind burn to the leaves, etc.
Secure it the best you can so that it doesn't flap too much and beat the crap out of them.

You must be buying them from DYN off Hwy 165, Stokes or Poole Bros on Hwy 112? Those are the only retail sellers here..... or you have relatives in the nursery business.

lay down and tarp