Fall is a good time to plant a tree when you can choose one that fits the space and keep it watered while it establishes. Cooler weather gives a newly planted deciduous tree a chance to settle in before the next growing season. Start with the mature tree, not the size of the one you can carry home today.
Choose a tree for the space it will occupy
A tree can bring height, shade, and a place for wildlife to your landscape, but it also has to look right where you will see it every day. Think about its full size before you buy. A tree crowded into a small yard may create more work than pleasure later. There are plenty of choices beyond the few types most visible at a garden store. Our post on making a good tree choice goes deeper into that decision.
Fall works well for many deciduous trees because they are heading toward dormancy. That does not mean every tree or every site is equally suited to the same planting date. Give yourself time to prepare the spot and plan for watering after the tree is in the ground.
Dig wide, but do not bury the root ball
Handle the tree carefully during planting. Make the hole about twice as wide as its root ball so there is room around it, but do not dig it deeper than the root ball. Planting too deep can cause trouble for the tree. Before you finish, check that the root ball is sitting at the intended level rather than sinking into a hole that is too deep.
Once the tree is placed, cover the surrounding soil with natural mulch, leaving a gap against the trunk. Piling mulch against bark is not a favor to the tree. The article on mulch basics has more on keeping mulch away from stems and trunks.
Water according to the soil and weather
Cool air does not guarantee wet soil. If the fall is dry, check moisture near the new tree regularly and water as needed. A fixed hour with a hose is not a reliable rule for every soil or tree; the soil should guide you. Keep paying attention through the establishment period and resume checks in spring after winter weather eases.
If you want help choosing or placing a tree, Nature’s Friends Landscaping can talk through the site and the planting. Our cool-weather tree planting post offers another look at why the season can work well.
