Why Plant in the Fall?

Not only will most trees do well when planted in the fall, but in many cases the fall may be a better time for planting than other times of the year. The weather tends to be milder during the fall, with less likelihood of drought or extreme highs that could damage your trees while they are still establishing their roots. Though cold weather will eventually set in, you’ll usually have enough time for roots to become well established before you have to worry about freezing temperatures or other problems from the cold. Add in a dormant period over the winter and you’ll have trees that are already established and ready to grow once spring arrives.

Which Trees to Plant

While there are some trees that might not handle a fall transplant, a lot of trees actually do very well when planted in the fall. More important than matching the trees to the time of year is making sure that you’re planting trees that grow well in your part of the country. Match trees to your planting zone, taking into consideration the cold-hardiness of the trees if you tend to see freezes in October or November. Check local nurseries or agricultural agents if you need help finding the right trees for your area.