The Best Time of Year to Plant Trees So They're Sure to Thrive

You'll want to time it just right to make sure new trees thrive in your landscape.

Adding a tree to your home’s landscape can have plentiful benefits for both you and your property. Besides adding beautiful greenery and boosting curb appeal, trees provide natural shade that can help lower your energy consumption in the summer, as well as block cold winds and help insulate your home in the winter.

As if all of that isn’t enough to make you want to add one to your property, Dan Lambe, CEO of the Arbor Day Foundation, cites an even more powerful motivator: the way they can make you feel. “Trees can also improve the mental and physical health of people living around them,” he says.

Are you ready to take advantage of these benefits and add a tree to your yard? Read on to learn what experts say you need to know before you start shopping for trees.

Meet Our Expert

• Dan Lambe, CEO, Arbor Day Foundation

• Lisa Tadewaldt, ISA Certified Arborist and co-founder of tree care company Urban Forest Pro

Related: 12 Small Trees With Big Curb Appeal

The Best Time to Plant Trees

Tree planting season generally occurs in fall or early spring, according to Lisa Tadewaldt, an ISA-certified arborist and co-founder of the Portland, Oregon-based tree care company Urban Forest Pro. "If your winter weather is below freezing for long periods, then early spring is the best time of year to plant," she says.

For those with winters that are less harsh, the good news is that Tadewaldt says you have a little more flexibility when it comes to timing. "If you have little to no freezing weather, you can plant any time but summer," says Tadewaldt.

When it comes to knowing exactly when the timing is right come spring, Lambe says it’s all about your soil’s temperature. According to Lambe, you want to wait to plant until your soil is consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit to guarantee the best chance at survival.

Advantages of Fall Planting

Choosing between spring and fall may come down to where you live, but planting in fall has several advantages. The cooler, rainier weather allows tree roots to establish more easily—the high heat of summer can cause unnecessary stress on young tree roots, alongside other issues like drought. During cooler months, the soil is also less likely to have moisture evaporation than it would in the summertime. Planting in the fall also allows the tree to get acclimated and stabilized before also growing leaves (in the case of deciduous trees), allowing all its energy to go towards just establishing its root system.

Related: 5 Beautiful Front Yard Trees That Will Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal

Discovering the Best Trees for Your Region

Changes in hardiness zones make it harder for experts to make blanket suggestions about when (and what) to plant in your area. "Hardiness zones are meant to be a guide, not a rulebook," says Lambe, who says that well-established trees that fall outside your area’s USDA hardiness zone may still thrive with suitable care and protection. But, that doesn’t mean you should continue to plant them if your zone has recently changed.

"Ultimately, shifts in hardiness zones add to the range of trees that will survive in your area in the future," says Lambe. So, while you may have varieties of trees in your area that now fall outside of your hardiness zone, that doesn’t mean you can add new saplings and expect them to produce the same results.

Another thing to keep in mind is that tree species selection varies greatly by where you live. "What might be considered native in one area, might be invasive in another," Lambe says. "When you look at recommendations, make sure they reflect your local area, not just your region. If you need help determining which trees will find success in your area, you can use the Tree Wizard tool at arborday.org to help you identify your hardiness zone, soil type, and sun exposure." From there, he says you’ll be able to filter your results by tree type, height, and more to find the ideal trees to plant in your yard.

When to Plant Common Tree Types

The act of planting a tree does not vary much by species, according to Tadewaldt, but the care can.

Deciduous Trees

Deciduous trees, also known as shade trees, are known for losing their leaves in the fall. Common deciduous trees are maple, dogwood, and birch trees. "Generally, a deciduous tree is going to be easier to establish,” Tadewaldt says. Plant these types of trees in the fall when they are going dormant—this is when they begin to lose their leaves. You'll want to keep your newly planted tree well-watered throughout the winter, too. "They are not too picky about the amount of water they get, and they will give you clear signals if they are getting too much or too little water," says Tadewaldt.

If you missed planting your tree in the fall, don't fear. You can also plant it in early spring, before it starts to bud.

Evergreen Trees

Evergreen trees keep their foliage all year. This category of tree includes some conifer trees like cypress, juniper, spruce, and pine trees, as well as broadleaf evergreen trees like boxwood, holly, and azalea trees. Like deciduous trees, evergreens should generally be planted in the fall, but as long as it's not scorching hot out, they can be planted at almost any time of the year besides the summer.

Evergreens can also suffer from something called desiccation, which is when their leaves and needles dry out during the winter. If you live in an area where the ground freezes and doesn't allow water to get to the tree roots, you might want to wait until the spring to plant and establish your evergreen tree.

Related: 13 Fragrant Evergreen Shrubs That Will Make Your Garden Smell Incredible

Tips for Successful Tree Planting

There are a few things to keep in mind when planting your tree so that it has the best chance to survive and flourish.

Know the Right Planting Depth

Take care to make sure the wider part of the root system located just under the base of the trunk is even with the soil. "The biggest mistake I see in tree planting by homeowners is the planting depth being too low," Tadewaldt says. "We have a saying we like to use about tree planting depth: 'a little high never die, a little low won’t grow.' The top root coming off of the root flare of the tree should be even with the soil."

Don't be afraid to remove soil from the tree's root ball when you're removing it from the container to achieve the right depth. "Due to the way trees are dug and put in containers, this root can sometimes be several inches below the soil level," Tadewaldt says. "In most cases, I find that I need to remove a couple of inches of soil from the top of a root ball before planting."

Choose the Right Location

Another thing to keep in mind? Location. "Think through where you’re planting the tree," Lambe says. "Planting on the east, west, or northwest sides of your home can help create shade from the sun."  You should also be mindful of what you’re planting near as well. Lambe uses the example of planting a tree over an air conditioning unit, saying that the shade can actually help the HVAC system run a little more efficiently.

Call the Experts for a Property Evaluation

It would be terrible to choose the perfect spot for your tree only to start digging and find you're hitting utility lines. "Once you’ve picked a spot, dial the national 'Call Before You Dig' number," Lambe says. "That number is 811. It’ll connect you with experts who can evaluate your property to make sure your tree won’t impact any underground utility lines."

Read the original article on Martha Stewart.