With all the leaves changing colors now, your mind may be on trees this time of year. But is it the best time to plant something new? Maybe. Spring and fall are typically the best time for tree planting, depending on what area you’re in and what you’re planting.

The Best Time for Tree Planting

If you’re starting to think about planting a tree, you need to ask yourself a few other questions first:

1. What type of tree do I want to plant? Make sure the variety matches the climate.
2. What’s the current climate in this region? The weather greatly impacts tree health.
3. Where do I want to plant it so it grows healthy and strong? Think about how big it will get and plant it where it has plenty of room to grow. Keep the amount of sun, shade, and moisture the type of tree needs and plant accordingly. Also, make sure you don’t hit any underground utility lines in the process of digging.

If you live in an area where the weather is more consistent year-round, you can probably plant at any time. However, if you experience dramatic seasons, fall may be the best time to plant a tree.

Planting Trees in Fall

Planting a new tree in the late summer/early fall gives it an extra growing season before the stress of next summer sets in, especially if you live in one of the hot southern states. With cooler temperatures and steady fall rain, trees can establish their roots and easily adjust to extreme summer conditions.

If you’re worried about extreme winter conditions, don’t. The tree will go dormant in winter and won’t need as much care. You can plant up until the ground is frozen, but be careful not to plant certain trees too late that they don’t have time to establish roots.

Post Planting Tips

After you plant your tree, make sure it gets a layer of mulch around the base but away from the trunk. Water it well no matter the time of year. If you have questions before, during, or after the tree planting process, contact the specialist at Elite Tree Care for more information about the best way to plant different trees.

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