Planting Trees and Shrubs in the Fall

In this article:

• When to Plant Trees and Shrubs
• Selecting Trees and Shrubs
• Where to Plant Trees and Shrubs
• How to Plant Trees and Shrubs
• Tree and Shrub Care

Fall is the Best Time to Plant Trees and Shrubs

Trees and shrubs planted in fall benefit from the combination of warm soil and cool air, which stimulates root growth to help them get established before the ground freezes. For those who live in warmer Southern regions, planting in late fall offers your trees and shrubs a chance to establish strong roots long before the intense stress of summer. Though you may be tempted to only think of plants with fall color like maple, sumac and dogwood trees, fall is the perfect time to plant most trees and shrubs. 

An added benefit of planting in fall is that it's an ideal time for you. All the hard gardening work of spring and the upkeep of summer can keep you busy throughout the rest of the growing season. By fall, your landscape is still on your mind, but with fewer tasks on the to-do list as winter approaches. 

Select Your Trees and Shrubs

Healthy trees and shrubs can last for decades, so it's important to look a variety of factors when choosing plants:

• Take your long-term landscaping goals into account. Trees and shrubs may start small, but they will grow. Think about how the tree or shrub will look in your landscape throughout its growing stages and once it reaches its mature size.
• Think about the shade or wind cover trees or a row of hedges might provide for your house or yard. New plantings may also block light to grass or areas that need full sun.
• Consider the different features some trees and shrubs provide throughout the year, such as flowers in spring, fruit in summer or changing leaf colors in fall. Flower, fruit and nut trees have the added advantage of attracting pollinators, birds and other wildlife. Check with your garden center for the best native options.

You'll also want to take a good look at the conditions of your yard and your local climate. While there are trees and bushes that will thrive just about anywhere, others can be more particular. Some trees prefer a particular type of soil or grow best in warmer or colder climates. Others need plenty of water or prefer things on the dry side. Selecting native trees and shrubs is a great way to help ensure that your plant will thrive. Your local garden center should be able to help and offer some great recommendations.

In the fall, trees and shrubs are either sold in containers or as "balled and burlapped," where the root ball is wrapped in burlap and held together with twine or a metal basket. Planting for either follows the same instructions.

Where to Plant Trees in Your Yard or Landscape

There are two things to consider when choosing the right spot for your trees and shrubs: the shade or coverage provided and enough room to grow. When planting shrubs, you'll also want to note their sun and shade needs to make sure they're getting the right amount of light.

Plant shade trees like maples, oaks and elms on the southeast, west and southwest sides of your house to help block the sun throughout the long, hot days of summer. During winter, evergreen trees planted along the north and northwest sides can help shield your home from roaring winds. Using a hedge of evergreen shrubs can provide similar benefits. Planting with this advice in mind isn't just for good looks; you might see lower energy costs for your home.

Check the full-grown size of your tree or shrub and make sure there's plenty of room. Refer to the information that comes with the plant or ask your garden center for more information. Give shrubs plenty of room to help promote good air circulation, reduce competition for water and nutrients, and prevent plants from shading each other out. For trees, checking the mature size is especially important to avoid planting too close to your home or neighbor's property, which may cause damage to the buildings and tree roots. 

For smaller trees reaching a height of 30 feet or less, such as dogwoods and flowering plums, provide 6 to 15 feet of space between each plant, and at least 8 feet between the tree and any buildings. For trees 30 feet higher and above, such as aspens, oaks and pines, provide at least 30 feet between each plant and at least 15 feet between the tree and any buildings.

How to Plant Trees and Shrubs 

Planting trees and shrubs isn't as tough as it might seem. Always double check your plant's tag for any special instructions. In general, here's how to plant tree and shrubs:

1. Create a hole that's twice as wide as your plant's container and deep enough that the root ball's soil line sits even with ground level.
2. Prepare your tree or shrub. Remove your plant from its container, or if you have a balled-and-burlapped tree, remove all of the twine and as much of the burlap and wire cage as you can. It is especially important to clear off the top half of the rootball to give roots room to grow.
3. Place your plant in the hole.
4. Blend Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil for Trees and Shrubs with your native soil removed from the hole in a 50:50 ratio.
5. Start filling in the hole with your soil mixture. When the hole is half-full, water the tree, then fill in the remaining soil. 
6. Pull some soil away from the tree trunk to create a donut-shaped ring of soil as wide as the root ball. This ring will act like a basin to hold water and funnel it to the tree roots. Water again.

Tree and Shrub Care After Planting

Retain Moisture with Mulch. Most new trees and shrubs will benefit from mulch, which helps conserve moisture in the soil. Using a bark-based mulch, add a 3-inch thick layer of mulch on top of the soil, leaving about 1 to 2 inches of space around the trunk to prevent disease.

Water Your New Tree or Shrub. Keep in mind that your new plants' water needs will be considerable at first. Since you're planting in fall, you will need to continue watering your newly planted tree or shrub until the ground freezes. As your trees and shrubs are becoming established, water two or three times a week, adjusting for weather and soil conditions. Once established, go for infrequent but generous, deep soakings.

Feed Your New Trees. To get your new tree or shrub off to a good start, apply Miracle-Gro® Quick Start® Planting & Transplant Starting Solution after planting to help stimulate root growth. The following spring, apply Miracle-Gro® Shake 'n Feed® Flowering Trees & Shrubs Continuous Release Plant Food, a granular plant food that feeds up to 3 months, or use Miracle-Gro® Tree and Shrub Plant Food Spikes, which can be "planted" in the ground once in spring and once in fall.

Your trees and shrubs may grow slowly, but that's just a reminder to be patient and enjoy every season. Before too long, you'll find yourself sitting in the shade or looking at a beautiful landscape, enjoying the rewards of watching what you planted grow.