Most people associate spring as the best season to plant trees but what if I told you planting trees in the fall could be better? There are several advantages to planting trees in the fall!
1.Less stress on the trees.
Planting trees in the fall allows for an extra growing season before the stress of the summer months. Planting in the spring puts added pressure on trees because they need to grow new leaves and roots at the same time. Summer heat can also be quite stressful on newly planted and young trees because they have not been given enough time to develop a strong root system. This allows for more susceptibility to pests and disease problems. Planting in the fall allows for trees to enjoy milder weather and none of the pressure of growing up too fast so they can focus all their energy on growing more roots.
2. Warmer soil.
During the spring, the ground may still be thawing out whereas in the fall, the soil is warmer. The soil has been warmed up all summer long and tends to stay warm enough for trees to establish their roots and absorb nutrients before going dormant during the winter months. Warmer soil makes it way easier to dig holes for your trees!
3. Allows extra time for the tree to become established/ New root growth.
Trees planted in the fall have more time to become established before the stress of summer rolls around. Trees can establish a root system before hot temperatures and dry soil of summer approaches.
Trees that are planted in the fall start establishing their root system as soon as they are planted. Warmer soils create the ideal environment for new root growth and cooler temperatures allow trees to send out the resources needed for root growth in preparation for winter. Roots will continue to grow until the ground freezes, this results in a stronger and more developed root system.
4. Cooler temperatures and fall rains.
Cooler temperatures and shorter, sun filled days in the fall months make for an ideal environment for newly planted trees. In many regions, fall months bring more of a rainy and or snowy season in comparison to summer months. Since newly planted trees require ample amounts of water, fall is a perfect time of year to plant!
5.Less maintenance.
Trees require less maintenance in the fall. This is because trees go dormant in the winter. Cooler temperatures encourage more root growth allowing trees to prepare themselves for a more productive growing season for the next year.
6. Fewer pest and diseases.
Threats from pests and diseases are often lower during the fall season, which means less stress for the newly planted trees. Insects and diseases tend to decrease in numbers as temperatures start to decline in the fall.
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(The Importance of Tree Diversity: Why We Should Plant Different Species of Trees Throughout Cheyenne)
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Here is a map of Holliday Park, which shows an excellent example of tree diversity throughout Cheyenne. The different colored circles represent a different tree species! There are approximately 60 different species of trees planted throughout Holliday Park! Click here to view a larger image. |
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