Fall is a great time to add trees to your landscape
An old adage says the best time to plant a tree was yesterday, and the next best time is today. That rings true in autumn as October can be the best time of the year to plant trees and shrubs in the home landscape. Fall can also be the best time to purchase trees and shrubs as many nurseries and garden centers offer deep discounts on plant material in the fall.
Autumn weather ideal for planting
Autumn weather in Ohio typically provides adequate soil temperatures for additional root growth of newly planted trees and shrubs before the soil freezes, and more favorable soil moisture conditions than we typically experience in late spring and summer.
More moderate air temperatures experienced in autumn means that trees lose less moisture through transpiration, reducing their need for soil moisture. Trees and shrubs planted in fall are also less susceptible to insects and diseases which are more prevalent during the warmer and more humid spring and summer months.
Although October is optimal for fall planting, most trees and shrubs can be planted anytime when the soil is not frozen.
A few species of trees, however, actually survive and grow better when planted in spring including beech, sassafras, sweetgum, sourwood, walnut, white oak, dogwood and Japanese Maple. Shrubs such as azalea, rhododendron, hemlock and holly will also perform best when planted in spring.
Right plant, right place
The key to success with planting trees and shrubs (or any plant for that matter), is to locate the right plant in the right place by matching specific plants with the conditions of the location in which they will be planted.
If you wish to plant a tree in the curb strip in front of your house, resist the temptation to plant a flowering tree such as dogwood or redbud as the full-sun location and other harsh conditions associated with curb strips are not the ideal location for these “edge of woodland” species that grow best in filtered sunlight.
Similarly, if you wish to plant a tree in a location of the yard which drains slowly, consider planting a species that will tolerate extended periods of moist soils such as willow, birch, red maple or silver maple.
Proper planting is critical
When digging the planting hole for a tree or shrub, dig a hole 2 to 3 times wider than the diameter of the root ball. The depth of the planting hole should be 2 or 3 inches less than the height of the root ball because most clay-based Ohio soils are somewhat poorly drained, which requires the top of the root ball to be located 2 or 3 inches above grade of the planting area.
When planting balled and burlap stock, be sure to remove any string, nails, wire and even the burlap once the root ball is placed into the planting hole, as
these materials can constrict root growth and even girdle, or strangle the plant. Roots matted at the bottom or circling container-grown stock should be cut and removed or straightened, if possible, to prevent girdling.
Be sure to remove any plant tags attached to the plant with wire or nylon twine, which could eventually girdle stem tissue.
When backfilling the planting hole, mix an organic soil amendment such as compost or peat moss with the soil removed from the hole at a rate of two-thirds soil and one-third organic amendment. A high-phosphorous fertilizer such as 5-10-5 can be added to the
backfill at planting at a rate of pint of fertilizer per bushel of backfill soil. Tamp the backfill soil firmly but do not compact it tightly by standing on the backfill.
Although many gardeners and homeowners make improvements to their home landscape in spring, autumn can be a superior time to renovate your landscape by planting trees, shrubs, and other woody ornamentals, especially if you missed your opportunity in spring — or yesterday!
Mike Hogan is an associate professor at Ohio State University and an educator at the OSU Extension.hogan.1@osu.edu