JOLIET, Ill – As the forecast starts showing cooler temperatures, many people are ready to get outside and continue to soak up the last bit of sunshine before winter. But while people are focused on summer activities that they love, things like gardening and planting are often dismissed as a “spring” activity. However, according to University of Illinois Extension, fall is a great time to plant trees.
“Fall gives you many benefits that spring doesn’t afford,” says Nancy Kuhajda, Illinois Extension horticulture educator serving Grundy, Kankakee, and Will Counties, “Trees need a period of establishment. In spring, we never know if it is going to be mild or jump right to summer temperatures, like this year.”
Planting new trees and other woody plants when it is hot and dry can stress plants: “In the spring, we know the temperatures are going to get warmer either right away, or a few weeks later. In the fall however, we know we have six to eight weeks of cooling temperatures.”
Even after trees lose their leaves in the fall, the root systems continue to grow and take in nutrients until the ground freezes solid, which can be as late as February in our area. This gives trees planted in fall a longer time to establish before the stressors of hot weather.
Besides the horticultural benefits, fall tree planting is also a smart economic choice. Kuhajda pointed out that “although the selection might be greater in the spring, the sales are great in the fall.” Most nurseries would rather sell existing stock now instead of having to overwinter it until next spring.
The key to tree planting anytime is proper planting and aftercare. Illinois Extension recommends digging the hole twice to three times as wide as the root ball, but no deeper; loosening the root ball and spreading out roots; watering at planting time and continuing to water until the ground freezes.
More information is available in the free University of Illinois Tree publication, Under the Canopy. Residents can grab a copy by contacting their local Extension Office or at 815-727-9296. This useful guide provides information on proper tree selection and care.
More information about Illinois Extension can be found online at extension.illinois.edu/gkw
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University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy. Learn more at extension.illinois.edu.