Many believe that spring is the best season for all outdoor planting, but that is not always the case. Fall can be a great time to avoid potential damage to tender perennials caused by the sudden onset of hot, dry weather. When planting or transplanting certain trees, it can be beneficial to utilize the fall season.
Sowing trees during the cool months, after they begin to go dormant, helps to minimize stress and increase a hearty spring comeback. Most woody perennials can be transplanted between August and early October; however, there are specific types that take better than others.
If you’re thinking about planting a new sapling in fall, purchase a container grown or root ball tree, as opposed to those with a bare root mass that are more susceptible to winter damage. Tree varieties that are able to establish roots quickly are best, as they are capable of taking hold before harsh weather sets in. Honeylocust, hawthorn, sycamore, crabapple, alder, elm, maple, spruce, hackberry, buckeye, catalpa, ash, linden, pine, fir, cedar, hemlock, and coffeetree all do well when transplanted in autumn.
Despite the fact that most deciduous plants can handle fall planting, there are several varieties that should wait until early spring. Magnolia, oaks, red maple, birch, sweetgum, poplars, fruit trees, dogwood, and tulip trees tend to be a bit slower at establishing roots and are often damaged during quick cold weather onset. Caution should also be taken with evergreens as, even though they are winter hardy, many varieties have to be significantly established to handle such harsh conditions. Save the planting of evergreens, other than pine and firs, for spring in order to reduce the risk of winter die out.
Transplanting during dormancy reduces the chances of shock to the plant and promotes a hearty start before the hot summer months begin. Be careful though, depending on your climate zone and varying weather patterns, even fall planting can be risky. If the soil is below 55 degrees Fahrenheit at a six-inch depth, you should hold off on planting until the cold season breaks.