Landscape - Some Trees to Avoid Fall Planting

Early november is a good time to plant many tree species in Delaware. However, there are some species that are best planted in the spring. The following is more information.

Tree Transplanting (Fall vs. Spring)

Some trees are best planted in the spring, as opposed to the fall. Some tree species fail to adequately regenerate their root systems in the fall. They often have borderline hardiness and are best planted in spring so that they’ll have more time to become established before winter. The following is a list of plants that are not well suited for fall plantings and should be delayed until next spring: fir, birch, hornbeam, hickory, flowering dogwood, common persimmon, beech, ginko, American holly, walnut, golden raintree, golden chaintree, sweetgum, tulip tree, magnolia, blackgum, ironwood, sourwood, popular, Prunus species, golden larch, oak, willow, sassafras, cypress, and hemlock. If these species must be planted in the fall, be sure to allow for adequate water at the time of planting and until the ground freezes.

Adapted from an article by Steven K. Rettke in the October 10, 2002 edition of the Plant and Pest Advisory, Landscape, Nursery, and Turf Edition from Rutgers University http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/plantandpestadvisory/2002/ln1010.pdf