Trees are an investment. How well that investment grows depends on several factors including, the type of tree planted, its location, and the care provided. Getting your new tree off to a healthy start will help it mature to its full size and ensure it will provide environmental, economic, and social benefits throughout its lifetime.
You may have inquiries and confusion regarding planting trees in your yard. No need to worry, here is the guide provided for you regarding the plantation of trees.
The Best Time to Plant Trees
Timing is essential when it comes to setting your plants up for success. Planting at the wrong time can compromise your plants’ growth, stress them out, or derail your gardening project.
Spring and fall are the professional's advised time to plant trees in your garden. Summer is too warm and winter can make root rot. You have to consider early fall if you're thinking of growing trees in best time.
The Importance of Planting at the Best Times
Your tree roots are sensitive and delicate in the young phase. Think of roots as the “brain” of your plant. Their ability to function will be greatly affected if you injure or shock the roots.
When planting, the roots move into an entirely new environment, and if the temperature change is drastic, it can cause considerable damage.
The Best Time to Plant Trees and Shrubs
Spring and fall are the best times to plant trees and shrubs because the soil temperature is mild. Summer is too warm. Remember, you want to prevent root shock.
Spring is usually the preferable choice because your plants have all year to spread their roots and get established. Fall is still an excellent time for planting, but you may need to take extra measures to protect your young plant.
Advantages of Fall Planting
Many homeowners understand that fall is ideal for planting grass seed, and savvy vegetable gardeners have learned that starting late-summer gardens leads to a second bounty of crops coming fall. But if you're ready to put your garden tools away and leave planting shrubs, and trees until spring, think again.
Here are the reasons why fall is planting time:
Warm Soil Temperatures
Air temperatures drop in fall, but the soil stays warm from months of summer sun. When you are planting a new shrub or tree warm soil temperatures encourage seeds to germinate and roots to grow. Roots continue growing until the ground freezes, so plants get settled in well before winter cold shuts them down.
Many common weeds are warm-season wonders that slow down or disappear come fall. Less weeding around new tree plants is good for gardeners, but less competition from active weeds is even better for newly planted trees. In spring, actively growing weeds compete aggressively for water, light, and nutrients.
Cool Air Temperatures
With cooler air temperatures during the day, summer heat stress becomes a thing of the past. Colder nighttime temperatures signal winter's on its way.
Trees focus their energy underground, and above-ground growth begins to slow. A combination perfect for fall planting. Protected roots keep growing, but tree plants limit tender new top growth that would be damaged by cold.
Predictable Precipitation
In most parts of the country, consistent rainfall arrives along with fall's cooler temperatures. Thirsty, fresh-from-summer soil drinks it in, and moisture levels stay fairly constant. Unlike soggy, unpredictable springs that keep you sidelined while soil dries, fall weather keeps tree plants' surroundings dry enough to stay workable.
Optimal Time to Fertilize
Because of fall's cooler air temperatures and predictable precipitation, tree plants can grow stronger with minimal stress. It is more likely to rain in the fall, which means plant roots will absorb more nutrients and require less watering.
Nitrogen spurs vigorous, leafy growth and rich color. Phosphorus promotes strong root development while helping plants use other nutrients efficiently.
Fall weather brings a drop in insect pest activity. That's a plus for gardeners and gardens. You can plant in peace. Without wasting energy swatting mosquitoes. Also, your new tree plants enjoy a reprieve from insects, too. Fall planting presents a perfect opportunity to examine your tree plants closely and treat them with a broad-spectrum pesticide.
Fresh Fall Perspective
When trees drop their leaves and memories of summer glory are still fresh, it's easier to see where your garden or landscape is lacking. Fall planting sets the stage for a new and improved spring show, but it also packs a more immediate impact.
Discovering the Best Trees for Your Region
In a world facing escalating environmental challenges, the act of planting trees stands as a beacon of hope and change.
Trees, these towering symbols of life and resilience, not only lend grace to our landscapes but also play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change, enhancing air quality, and supporting biodiversity
Right Location
It’s imperative to understand why the choice of location is of paramount importance. Trees, those silent champions of our environment, perform a multitude of life-sustaining tasks. With deforestation taking a toll on our planet, tree-planting initiatives are our imperative response to replenishing what we’ve lost.
Location Compatibility
Selecting the right tree species for your location is akin to finding the perfect puzzle piece. Trees have varying preferences when it comes to climate, soil, and other environmental conditions.
Understanding these preferences is crucial to ensuring your trees thrive. While some palm trees flourish in tropical climates. Studying the climate of your area can figure out your choice.
Beneath the surface, a hidden partnership unfolds. Tree roots entwine with the soil, creating a subterranean ecosystem where water, nutrients, and beneficial organisms collaborate. Soil quality matters immensely; it influences a tree’s growth, stability, and resilience.
Healthy soil that is well-aerated and rich in organic matter encourages robust root development and nutrient uptake.
Sunlight Requirements
Sunlight is the fuel of life for trees. Through the miracle of photosynthesis, they convert sunlight into energy, fueling their growth and producing oxygen as a byproduct.
Understanding the sunlight requirements of your chosen tree species is vital. Some trees are sun-loving, thriving in full sunlight, while others are more shade-tolerant.
When to Plant Common Tree Types
There may have been confusion regarding the time to plant trees of different species. No need to worry. Here, it is mentioned types of trees and a good time to plant trees.
Deciduous Tree
Autumn is nature’s planting time and if you’re considering planting a deciduous tree or shrub in your garden. It might be too cold for us to leave the house without a hat and scarf, but for deciduous plants the temperature is perfect. Deciduous plants planted in autumn have the best chance of fully establishing as they will develop new and healthy roots this time of year.
Evergreen 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 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. There’s less chance of drought or sun scorch harming fragile, newly-planted trees.
Conifers can be planted in early spring and early fall. These are trees whose leaves remain green throughout the year and only the oldest leaves are detached. They are trees that grow upwards and that have a triangular shape, and are strong and resistant to different climatic conditions, although they are mostly softwood trees.
Fruit trees
The best time to plant fruit trees is when they are dormant in winter. This type of tree can produce fruit. This fruit is developed from the flower that has matured and inside which we find the seeds. It must also be said that these trees are classified in different ways depending on the type of fruit they produce.
Tips for Successful Tree Planting
Light
Before you head to the local tree nursery, take a good look at your landscape space and snap a few photos for reference. Your tree nursery professional will be so happy to see how well-prepared you are.
It makes your job much easier when you preplan for your landscape. The tree you desire needs to fulfill the requirements for better and healthy growth.
Location
There’s no sense in planting an expensive and rare tree plant in an area where you want a large shade tree. Different tree species have different size, light, soil, and water requirements. When in doubt, take a look at the individual tree tag directions and listed requirements. Once you find the right tree for your location, buy it, bundle it up, and bring it home.
Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and two or three times as wide. Loosen the roots around the rootball of the tree. This encourages root growth and avoids compaction. Amend the soil with compost, sea soil, or garden soil mix. To easily do this, it is recommended to put all of the native soil you dig up and mix your compost.
Mulching
Mulch is key for insulating your newly planted tree roots, maintaining soil moisture, and managing soil temperature. It is recommended to apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the tree, avoiding the lower trunk area to avoid root rot and poor air circulation.
In addition, if your location is windy, it is recommended to add a good tree staking kit until the roots are sturdy and established.
Watering
Planting new trees is akin to taking care of a new baby. Those first few months are critical for its development. Water right away after planting.
After four weeks, water the tree once or twice a week, again depending on the weather. Avoid over-watering the tree plant if there is poor drainage and check the soil moisture for proper judgment of water requirement.
Worst Time to Plant Trees
Mid-Summer
The worst time to plant a tree is generally considered to be mid-summer. Trees are most vulnerable during the hot, dry summer months, and transplanting a tree during this time can severely stress it and reduce its chances of survival. They may require watering more frequently to avoid the death of plants at this time. Also, the result may not be satisfactory though after caring.
Mid-Winter
Mid-winter is not a perfect time for planting as it is generally a cold and frozen environment in this period. These conditions are not so friendly with the growth of tree plants which results in unsatisfactory. Also, cold temperatures damage the roots and hamper the capacity of the tree to absorb necessary nutrients.
An attractive shade tree, the American basswood can grow as tall as 60 to 80 feet with a round and lush crown made up of heart-shaped leaves.
Its whiteish flowers are typically in bloom by mid-June and fill the summer air with a pleasant fragrance. Basswood is common in deciduous forests throughout the Midwest and makes for a popular yard.
American Elm
Although its numbers have been impacted by Dutch elm disease, the American elm can still be found with its tall, arching branches creating a shady place to escape the hot summer sun.
You can recognize this tree by its gray, furrowed bark and elliptical green leaves that have toothy edges. In the fall, these leaves turn a yellowish-brown that isn’t quite as ornamental as other species.
Common Hackberry
Also known as the northern hackberry and American hackberry, the common hackberry is easily recognizable from a distance by its light gray, warty bark on massive trunks.
It is commonly used as a street tree because of its ability to withstand drought and urban environments, and it is among the best trees for wildlife. Their fruits have a raisin-like taste and are relished by birds.
Eastern White Pine
Found and adored throughout the Great Lakes and Midwest states, Eastern white pines are impressive to look at and soft to the touch. The largest conifer of the upper Midwest forests, white pines can grow as tall as 100 feet and up to more than three feet in diameter.
Honey Locust
The lacey, oval leaves of the honey locust tree are small enough to let a little sunlight through, which creates a beautiful dappled shade in the yards and gardens where it’s planted. Their flowers provide food for pollinators and their leaves turn a beautiful golden shade in the fall.
