Place trees in the appropriate moment, and they’ll be more likely to prosper. Here’s how to plant them to ensure you get the maximum return on your landscaping investment.
Trees are large-ticket landscaping pieces which not only cost a significant amount. However, they also provide a great deal of value to your house. According to specific estimates, a mature tree can add nearly $10,000 to the value of your property.
Therefore, it’s essential to plant trees at the time when they’re likely to last.
When is the ideal time for Trees to be planted?
This is the short answer. The best time to plant trees is when they have to establish roots before being subjected to stressors such as high temperatures and low temperatures or lack of water.
Nicholas Staddon of Monrovia, a plant shop owner, says that late summer/early autumn is the perfect season to start planting in most areas of the U.S. — zones 4-8.
“During the cold winter season, in many regions in the U.S., roots are still active,” Staddon says. “The tree is beginning to acclimatize to the soil. In the spring, it blooms with flowers and leaves.”
Naturally, trees have their own needs, and regions have various climates. This is why we’ve broken down the best times to plant by temperature and the types of trees.
When is the best time to plant trees in cold climates?
The time frame for planting trees in cooler climate zones 1 through three — can be pretty limited. It’s impossible to grow until the ground is warm, and you’ve just two months before it begins to freeze.
When the ground is beginning to warm, the early spring is the ideal time to plant. It is possible to grow in the fall too late because trees cannot withstand the frigid temperatures that could cause damage to roots and prevent water from reaching the trees.
When is the best time to plant trees in warmer climates?
It’s the perfect time of year to plant your seeds in the deep South zones 9 and 10.
- After the first frost, the trees go into dormancy and require less food from new roots.
- Tree carbohydrates may go directly to root growth instead of growing the canopy.
- The mild winters allow trees the time to grow to establish root systems that can withstand hot summers.
Be sure to keep young trees well-watered during dry winters.
Different types of trees and when to Plant them
Bare roots tree: They are taken out of the ground when not in use, stored in a moist medium and then moved without soil. Since these roots are not covered, you should plant them in the spring, when they are less likely to get injured in winter. However, it’s more important to plant them when you receive them. The key is to place your order to ensure they arrive at a time with the best chance of survival.
Trees in containers: They’ve been cultivated in burlap or pots and have roots encased with soil. Trees with bare roots are more brittle than trees with bare roots, so timing isn’t as crucial. Plant when your tree has a few months to grow roots before extreme weather conditions, whether hot or cold and strain it.
Deciduous trees can make your decision simple, as they will tell you the time they’ll go dormant by dropping their leaves. Plant them in the fall and ensure they are well-watered throughout the winter.
Evergreens The best time to plant these is early autumn or late spring when it doesn’t experience extreme heat.
Conifers The cone-bearing trees of this group are especially vulnerable to cold weather since their needles dehydrate throughout winter, even if the tree is asleep. If your home is in an area that is prone to freezing, which prevents the conifer’s water from reaching its roots, plant them in the spring.
Transplants Plant trees during spring, after the ground has warmed, before the tree starts to set buds, or in autumn after the leaves have fallen but before the soil is frozen. Younger trees will tolerate transplanting more quickly than mature trees that aren’t fans of the shock.