Best Time To Plant Trees - The Best Time Of Year

Last Updated on September 17, 2021 by Grow with Bovees

If you have taken to gardening or want to grow your own fruits and vegetables, it can be a very exciting activity to undertake. But in order to do it right, one must know when to plant the trees and how to take care of it so it takes root. The following are some details on the best time to plant trees, followed by specific conditions some specific trees require:

Benefits of Planting Trees in the Fall

Fall is one of the best seasons of the year to plant trees, for various reasons. But one of the most beneficial reasons is that the roots of the plant can be nurtured in warm and temperate soil before the sub-zero temperatures of winters set in.

Of course, not everywhere gets as cold as the east coast. But no matter where you are, fall offers better soil temperature for the roots to have time to grow and thrive.

Fall is also the time when one might find fewer insects and pests in the soil. The air is cooler than the sultry summer months, while the soil is warmer than the winter months to come. In other words, this is the perfect weather condition for a tree to take root and establish itself in the ground in order to survive the winters.

Risks of Planting in the Fall

While fall is a good time to plant trees, it does come with certain risks as well. The whole season is not necessarily good for planting trees. The longer you wait in the season, the greater the chances that the root will not grow as expected. You need to give the plant at least six weeks to thrive in the mild fall temperatures before winters arrive.

Besides, not all types of trees can be transplanted successfully in the fall. Trees that have coarser or more fibrous roots are more prone to failure during the fall. These roots need to be pruned in spring, so they are ready for transplanting in the fall. If the roots are not pruned and the winters happen to be harsher, the roots will be damaged as there is not enough water to replenish the system.

On a related note, trees that are stored for transplanting above ground require a steady supply of water. One needs to ensure that the root ball does not dry out and needs to be watered constantly until the tree is planted in the soil. One must also ensure that the tree has the appropriate size of root ball for transplanting.

Plant Selection and Care for Fall Planting

As mentioned above, trees that have coarser roots require a different kind of treatment, so they can be prepared for transplanting in the fall. One prune the roots in the spring so the tree is ready for transplanting by the time fall rolls in.

But there is no reason to be overwhelmed or disappointed about your fall planting prospects as there are plenty of tree types that can be planted very easily during this season and require practically fool-proof aftercare. Some common trees you can plant before it gets too cold are:

Buckeye
American Persimmon
Crab apples
Elm
Hawthorn
Linden
Spruce
Pine
Forsythia

When to Plant Maple Trees

Maple trees can be planted at any time when the ground is not frozen. These are resilient trees that take root under various conditions. They are also flexible and relatively easy to take care of. (See our Maple pruning advice here.) However, the best success rate for planting maples is certainly the fall, as you get the right kind of air temperature as well soil temperature to transplant a maple or sow it through a seedling.

When to Plant Evergreens

As the name suggests, Evergreen trees thrive through the year and retain their foliage even in the winters. This means that they cannot be planted during the winter as there will not be enough water in the soil for the tree to retain its foliage and also take root.

When To Plant Dogwood Tree

The dogwood tree can be planted in early fall or during spring. It is a beautiful flowering tree that blooms in the Spring and makes an excellent addition to your landscape if you live in USDA plant hardiness zones 5-8. Dogwood trees are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves in the Fall when the cold weather approaches.

They can grow up to 20 feet (6.1 m) tall and will grow best in full sun, although they can tolerate part-sun. In order to get the dogwood tree to grow to its maximum height, be sure to plant it in well drained soil, and apply a 10-10-10 fertilizer. The dogwood tree requires very little maintenance, just regular dogwood pruning, once it has become established, and will flourish for many years to come.

Best Time to Plant Fruit Trees

You can plant fruit at any point during the growing season. However, planting them in the fall rather than in the spring gives them a better fighting chance. This is because the moderate temperatures of the fall allow the trees to take root and gives them a buffer of another season before enduring the harsh temperatures of summers.

Depending on the specific climate condition in a given area, the rules may vary. But planting in the fall or early spring should do the trick for fruit trees.

Best Time To Plant Palm Trees

Many people want to learn more about palm trees and the best time of year to plant them.

The truth is, it depends on where you live.

If you live in a warm climate, you can plant your palm trees year round. If you live in a cold climate, you will have to wait until the weather is warmer.

In Conclusion of The Best Time To Plant Trees

While gardening is a very rewarding hobby, it can be disappointing to see your hard-toiling labor not bearing fruits. Knowing the right season for planting is very important to experience sweet gardening success and fall seems to be a good candidate for various types of plants and trees.