Planting new trees is one of the most significant ways you can transform your garden, grounds or public space. From providing shade and privacy to enhancing the look and feel of an outdoor space, tree planting has a huge range of advantages. However, knowing when you should plant new trees is crucial to ensure that your trees grow strong and that the benefits of your trees come to fruition. Whether you’re planning a large-scale planting project in a commercial space or adding a tree or two to your garden, the timing can make all the difference.

What To Consider When Planting New Trees

Like all plants, trees are incredibly sensitive to their surrounding environment and the conditions of said environment. Temperature, soil quality, moisture levels and sunlight all play a critical role in a new tree’s ability to establish itself and therefore there are a number of things you must consider when embarking on any tree planting initiative.

Both the timing and the type of tree can significantly impact how well the tree adapts to its environment. By planting the right species at the right time, you allow it to develop a strong root system and withstand seasonal changes. Planting new trees at the wrong moment, however, can lead to shock, stunted growth or even the death of the tree.

What Time Of Year Is Best For Planting New Trees?

The optimum time of year for tree planting in the UK is typically during autumn and/or spring. The conditions offered by these seasons are usually the most favourable for root growth as they allow the tree to establish itself without the stress of extreme temperatures and excess moisture from rainfall.

Planting New Trees In Autumn

We would suggest planting new trees in autumn where possible, especially in the case of deciduous trees (those that shed their leaves in autumn). Deciduous trees enter their dormancy period after they shed their leaves and therefore they can focus all of their energy on establishing strong roots rather than supporting foliage when planted at this time of year. This means that come spring, the new trees will be ready for growth and can produce their beautiful foliage and flowers.

In addition, the soil conditions are very favourable in the autumn as the air is warm enough to create the right soil temperature to promote root development yet cool enough that the tree will not need a complex watering schedule.

Planting New Trees In Spring

For species that require more time to establish roots or are particularly frost-sensitive, it is more favourable to carry out tree planting in spring. For example, evergreen trees retain the foliage all year round and therefore need to be planted at a time that allows them to maintain a level of growth even through winter. Planting these new trees in spring therefore gives them time to establish and acclimatise before colder and harsher conditions arrive.

It is important to note that planting new trees in spring can require higher levels of ongoing care. They will quite quickly be faced with hotter and potentially drier summer conditions, which makes it critical that an appropriate watering and maintenance schedule is in place to ensure the trees get the nutrients they need.

What To Avoid

There are a number of common mistakes that we see made time and time again when people are deciding when to plant new trees. As we have discussed, the best time of year to plant new trees is in autumn or winter, yet many wrongly assume that summer will also offer favourable conditions due to the increased presence of the sun. In fact, the high temperatures and dry conditions of the summer months are some of the most challenging for new trees and they will find themselves struggling to establish roots at this time of year.

Similarly, planting new trees during winter is not advisable. It is hard for roots to grow in the presence of frost, snow and cooler temperatures which can harm the long-term establishment of the tree.

Get Professional Tree Planting Advice

While the right timing is absolutely critical when it comes to planting new trees, it’s still important to remember that this is not the only factor that will promote healthy tree growth. You should always consider the placement of new trees carefully, plan your tree planting schedule around the type of trees you wish to plant, and remember to factor in ongoing care and maintenance like pruning and crown lifting once the tree has healthily established itself.

With this in mind, we highly recommend that you seek advice from a professional arborist to help you determine the best time to plant new trees. At Arborcure, we have decades of experience planting and caring for new trees across the South West and are on hand to ensure that your new trees have a long and healthy life. We can help you decide the whens, wheres and hows when it comes to tree planting – simply get in touch with us today to discuss your project with one of our expert team.