Autumn is a time for apple picking, pumpkin spice everything (yes, I’m on that side of the debate), final garden harvests, and tree planting. While April gets a lot of attention for being Arbor Month, let’s consider autumn as another great time to plant trees.
Advantages of autumn planting
Regardless of the season, newly planted trees experience transplant shock, a stress response caused by root disturbance during planting. Trees must recover their root system to support healthy growth and vigor.
Autumn is a good time to plant trees because seasonal conditions typically support root development, and roots have the advantage of a few extra months of growth before the heat and/or drought of summer occur.
Energy allocation within trees fluctuates between supporting root growth and shoot growth, resulting in an opposing rhythm of growth. Roots put on a flush of growth in the fall when soil temperatures and moisture is moderate, then as soil temperatures decrease, so does root growth, going dormant in mid-winter.
As soil warms in spring, root growth resumes and peaks before shoot growth begins. Once shoots and leaves develop, root growth slows as energy shifts to canopy formation. Once leaves have fully emerged and are producing energy for the tree, root development resumes.
Root growth is optimized when soil temperatures and moisture is moderate, therefore root growth may decline during hot, dry summers.
A word of caution
The advantage of planting trees in the fall is that the tree is provided a few extra months of root growth prior to the onset of a Midwestern summer. These advantages are only achieved if conditions are right for root growth at the time of planting.
If trees are planted too late in the season or winter arrives early, cooling temperatures reduce root growth. If newly planted trees are not given enough time to establish new roots, they may struggle to endure the challenges of winter.
To counter this risk, plan to plant trees in the early months of fall and mulch to help moderate soil temperature fluctuations. Provide supplemental water to the root system and surrounding soil if conditions are dry, so trees are entering winter dormancy well-hydrated.
Fall planting recommendations
All the same recommendations apply to a fall planting as spring planting when it comes to selecting a tree for planting and how to plant a tree. Illinois Extension has multiple resources available to help you select a suitable tree species and guides for how to properly plant a tree. Some of the basics are outlined below:
- It is crucial to choose a tree species that is well-suited for the site conditions…also known as ‘Right tree, right place’
- At the time of planting, dig the hole two to three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper than the root collar.
- Loosen the root ball at the time of planting and correct any circling roots.
- Backfill with native soil; amendments are usually unnecessary and not recommended.
- Mulch properly and water well.
- Protect trees from animal and mechanical damage.
Tree planting is an investment in the landscape, one that has the potential to benefit multiple generations to come. Thoughtful planning, planting, and care can lead to trees that will thrive in their new location. These trees will provide an abundance of benefits, including but not limited to shade, beauty, wildlife habitat, and improved health for our communities.
Good Growing Fact of the Week: Availability may be a challenge for those wishing to plant trees in the autumn, as nursery supplies may be reduced compared to spring. Work with local nurseries in advance to ensure desirable species are available for a fall planting.
Thank you for reading!
Sign up for our emails! Want to get notified when new Good Growing posts are available? SIGN ME UP
Give us feedback! How helpful was this information (click one): Very helpful | Somewhat helpful | Not very helpful
MEET THE AUTHOR
Emily Swihart is a horticulture educator with University of Illinois Extension, serving Henry, Mercer, Rock Island, and Stark counties since 2021. Emily provides horticulture programming with an emphasis on the home gardener, the urban forest, native plant ecosystems, and landscape design. Additional responsibilities include supporting local county Master Gardener and Master Naturalist volunteers - providing training, continuing education, advanced training, and their involvement in seasonal events and community outreach programs.