Spring vs. Fall: When Is the Best Time for Tree Planting?

Tree planting is an easy thing any New Jersey homeowner can do to improve their property’s aesthetics. Regarding planting, most arborists recommend two different timings: spring and fall. Both are reasonable times to plant your trees, but each comes with specific timings and benefits.

In this article, you’ll learn the benefits of planting in the fall and spring, which will help you determine which is suitable for your trees. We’ll also provide a few handy tips for which trees you should consider planting in which season.

PRO TIP: Want to learn more about what trees you should and shouldn’t plant in Morris County, New Jersey? Check out some of our previous articles on the topic:

• Great Trees for Fall Color in New Jersey
• Beautiful But Dangerous – Why You Should Not Plant a Bradford Pear Tree in your New Jersey Yard

Key Takeaways

• Fall is a perfect time to plant most trees as their roots can grow thanks to moderate temperatures and increased rainfall.
• When planting trees in the fall, plant them before the ground freezes and when the soil temperature reaches at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Some trees that do well with fall planting include sycamore, ash, and crabapple.
• Spring planting is best done toward the end of April or the beginning of May, though this timeline changes depending on the weather at that time of year.
• Slower-establishing species thrive better with spring planting, including ginkgo and hemlock trees, as well as broadleaf and narrow leaf evergreens.

When to Plant a Tree: Spring vs. Fall

Spring and fall are the two conventional times to plant trees, and both benefit different tree species.

PRO TIP: A common question we hear from Morris County residents is whether they should stake their newly planted trees. For more information on whether staking suits your trees, see our previous article on the pros and cons of tree staking.

Fall Planting Benefits

Fall provides your trees with time to grow, expand, and establish before they have to face the summer heat (summer temperatures regularly reach into the mid-80s in Morris County).

Trees thrive in moderate temperatures and consistent rainfall. In Morris County, fall temperatures typically hover around the mid-60s, and trees usually receive about 12 inches of rain during this season.

Cooler air temperatures trigger stronger root growth in trees. This allows them to rapidly expand their root system in the fall before going dormant. With a well-established root system, trees are better equipped to handle the summer heat.

Fall also sees low transpiration (the process of water moving throughout a tree). Trees use transpiration to provide water throughout and help regulate temperatures during the summer. The mild temperatures of the fall allow the tree to limit its transpiration and focus on using its energy for growth and developing new roots.

Timing Your Fall Tree Planting

There’s no exact science as to when the perfect time to plant in the fall is. The timing will shift slightly depending on the weather, and changing climates may mean conventional wisdom is no longer applicable.

That being said, most arborists will recommend planting from late August until late October or early November. Deciduous tree roots grow whenever the soil temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Measure the soil temperature in the morning for a few days to determine if the soil is still warm enough for planting.

Trees to Plant in the Fall

Fall is a perfect time to plant many different species of trees, including:

• Ash
• Crabapple
• Hackberry
• Hawthorn
• Pine
• Maple
• Sycamore
• Spruce

We also recommend planting deciduous shrubs such as forsythia and hydrangea in the fall. If you aren’t sure if a tree will thrive when planted in the fall, ask an arborist for advice.

Spring Planting Benefits

Spring tree planting provides benefits similar to fall planting. The temperatures in Morris County begin to heat up (they typically reach around 60 degrees between March and May) and the rains start to pour (an average of about 12 inches in the spring).

The key difference between the two seasons is that fall planting leads to dormancy, allowing trees to rest and prepare for spring growth. In contrast, spring planting immediately exposes young trees to the potential challenges of summer heat and drought.

Spring planting benefits trees that require warmer soil temperatures to establish, as temperatures will continue to rise. Coniferous trees, especially, flourish during this time

When to Plant a Tree in the Spring

Spring tree planting will generally occur in late April or early May, depending on the weather in a given year. Like with fall, you can measure the soil’s temperature and ensure it is warm enough to support a new, developing tree.

Be careful not to plant a tree too early and risk it being exposed to frost. Likewise, planting too late in the spring will not give the tree enough runway to establish itself before the harsh summer conditions.

Failure to plant a tree at the proper time can kill it and prevent you from enjoying the many benefits of trees, such as improving your property’s value or providing a habitat for local wildlife.

What Trees to Plant in the Spring

Trees that take more time to establish themselves are often the best spring planting choices. These trees often have fewer roots than trees that thrive in the fall. Some examples of trees we recommend planting in the spring include:

• Ginkgo
• Hemlock
• Willow
• Sweetgum
• Magnolia

Additionally, we recommend planting most broad-leaf evergreens (like rhododendrons) and narrow-leaf evergreens (like yews) in the spring rather than the fall.

Alpine Tree Can Help Care for Your Young Trees

Young trees often need extra care to establish themselves. By planting at the right time of year, you can give your trees the best chance to thrive and become beautiful additions to your landscape.

Timing your tree planting is just one vital element of caring for newly planted trees. If you need help with a tree struggling to grow, the team at Alpine Tree is ready to help. We can provide advice and actionable items to take care of your tree and help it reach maturity. Call us today at 973-964-7798 or request an appointment online.