Now that fall is here, you may be itching to add a new tree to your landscape. Who wouldn’t want more of that gorgeous seasonal fall color? But with a frigid winter right around the corner, is it safe to plant?
Before you begin digging a new home for your tree, test to see if it’s still OK to plant this late in fall. Plus, learn what happens if you were to plant your tree too late in the season.
How to Tell if It's Too Late in Fall to Plant a New Tree
How late can you plant a tree in fall? Is October or November too late to plant trees?
Mid-August to mid-October is an ideal time of year to plant new trees. Though, that time frame can be stretched.
A good rule of thumb is that if the trees in your area still have leaves, you can plant new trees. To be 100% sure, look to the soil! Using a soil thermometer, measure soil temperature early in the morning for a few, consecutive days. If your soil is consistently 50° F or higher, you’re good to plant.
More on why fall is the best time to plant trees here.
Can I plant any type of tree if the soil is 50° or higher in autumn?
The 50° F mark works best for deciduous trees. Those are the trees that shed leaves before for winter. Because of this, they focus onlyon growing and providing water to their roots in winter. So, they don’t need as much energy.
On the other hand, evergreen trees–like pine and spruce–hold onto their needles year-round. They need all the nutrients they can get before the ground freezes. That’s why you want to avoid planting evergreen trees if the soil temperature is lower than 60° F. Your tree wouldn’t have enough time to save the energy needed to survive the winter.
What happens if I plant a tree when the soil is too cold?
Planting a tree when the ground is too cool sets your tree up for trouble. It’ll likely suffer from reduced root growth and eventual tree decline.
If you find out after planting a new tree that it was too late, you can boost its health. Your goal is to make up for the lack of growth this fall. So, how do you do that? Water, fertilize, prune and keep an eye out of for disease and pests. Essentially, you want to create a plant health care plan for your new tree.
Once I plant a new tree in fall, do I need to do anything to prepare it for winter?
Water your new tree weekly, even if its leaves have fallen, until the ground freezes.
FAQs
Mid-August to mid-October is an ideal time of year to plant new trees. Though, that time frame can be stretched. A good rule of thumb is that if the trees in your area still have leaves, you can plant new trees. To be 100% sure, look to the soil!
How late in the fall can you plant a tree? ›
September through November is the ideal time for tree planting because it allows the roots to become established before the ground freezes and winter sets in. However, it is highly recommended that you do not continue planting trees too late into the fall because this can have a negative impact on plant health.
What is considered late fall for planting? ›
Mid-August to mid-October is an ideal time of year to plant new trees, though, that time frame can be stretched into November and December. To be 100% sure, measure soil temperature early in the morning for a few, consecutive days. If your soil is consistently 50° F or higher, you're good to plant.
What trees not to plant in fall? ›
Fall planting does not allow enough time for that to happen. Bur oaks and willows fall into this category. Regardless of the reason, birch, sweet gum, bald cypress, fir and some varieties of oaks are among those varieties that are slow to establish and are more successfully installed in the spring.
When should you not plant trees? ›
If planted too late in the fall and the ground freezes early, the tree won't be able to establish its roots. If it goes in the ground too late in the spring, when hot temperatures have set in before the roots have established, trees can get scorched by the sun and potentially die if they can't uptake water properly.
Is September too late to plant? ›
Although September marks the beginning of fall, there are still a few fast growing vegetables that can be planted this month and be harvested before the first frost in most gardening zones. Remember to keep your soil warm by removing all mulch and maybe try using a plastic sheet to trap heat into the soil.
Are there any trees you can plant in the fall? ›
Planting evergreens in the late summer and early fall is best. Trees that can be successfully planted in the fall include alder, ash, buckeye, catalpa, crabapple, hackberry, hawthorn, honey locust, elm, Kentucky coffee tree, linden, maple, sycamore, pines, and spruces. Most deciduous shrubs can also be planted in fall.
Is October too late to plant perennials? ›
It's recommended to plant between September and October.
What month is best to plant in fall? ›
From early fall through most of November is one of the best times of year to plant spring-blooming bulbs, cool-season annuals and vegetables, as well as many trees, shrubs, and perennials.
Can I plant trees in summer? ›
As a general guideline, the best time to plant trees in Southern California is during late summer or early fall. It's important that trees get enough water and their roots have enough time to grow. Planting during or just before mild and wet weather arrives, allows this to happen.
Trees that can be successfully planted in the fall include alder, ash, buckeye, catalpa, crabapple, hackberry, hawthorn, honey locust, elm, Kentucky coffee tree, linden, maple, sycamore, pines, and spruces. Most deciduous shrubs can also easily be planted in fall.
What is the messiest tree? ›
The Mess – Eucalyptus trees are notorious for being messy. As many species age, they shed portions of their bark and can suddenly shed entire branches, littering the ground below.
Is it bad to plant trees in July? ›
Planting trees in summer's heat may set them up for failure. Warm temperatures and dry conditions put stress on young trees as they try to establish themselves. When stressed, new trees are quickly depleted of energy, which they need to survive winter and emerge healthy next spring.
Is it better to plant trees in the spring or fall? ›
Most trees and woody shrubs benefit from fall planting. Generally, those with fibrous, numerous roots are best suited. Slow-growing trees, like oaks, may be less suited to this practice. Some popular trees that are not as well suited to fall planting include birch, fir, larch and hemlock.
Is summer too late to plant a tree? ›
If you're looking to transplant trees, we recommend waiting for mid to late fall. However, while it's never ideal, summer planting can be done – but you need to take special care during planting and in the weeks after.
What is the best month to plant a tree? ›
Fall is often considered the best time of year to plant new trees. Generally, late August, September and October are the best months. It all depends, though, on when it actually feels like fall. As long as the hottest days of summer are gone and the ground isn't frozen yet, you can still plant trees.
Is it too late to plant a maple tree? ›
Is October or November too late to plant trees? Mid-August to mid-October is an ideal time of year to plant new trees. Though, that time frame can be stretched. A good rule of thumb is that if the trees in your area still have leaves, you can plant new trees.
What temperature should you plant in the fall? ›
Timing of fall planting has much to do with soil temperature. Many plants can grow roots when the earth is as cool as 45˚F. At planting time, the soil temperature at 6 inches deep should be about 55˚F to give plants ample time to start getting established.
Do trees planted in the fall need to be watered? ›
To help your trees and other plants survive this dry year and prepare for the next, water them as long as you can in fall — into November if possible, or until the ground freezes. Long, slow watering is best. Give the water plenty of time to soak in.
