When it comes to creating your complete outdoor living area, the landscaping around your space is really critical. Trees, in particular, are an important element that adds unbeatable benefits like shade, privacy, and aesthetic appeal.
But if you’re thinking about incorporating trees into your landscape design, you might be wondering, is it better to plant trees in fall or spring?
We’ll help to answer the questions around when to plant trees in Virginia and in the process help set you up for success.
After all, while trees are only one element of your total outdoor living area, they certainly aren’t inexpensive. Once those trees are installed in the ground, you want to see them not only survive but flourish in the new space. The last thing that you want is a sickly tree that never performs well because it got off on the wrong foot.
When is the Best Time to Plant a Tree in Virginia?
Most people automatically associate springtime with planting and we certainly understand why. Coming out of the winter, this is a time when new flowers start to bloom and there are a wide variety of plants available at the local big-box store or nursery for planting.
When spring is in the air, people get really excited about planting.
But what about trees? Should you plant trees in fall or spring?
The truth is, you can do either and be successful. But you might be surprised to know that fall is a bit more optimal for a few reasons. Let’s dive into why you might want to consider having trees planted in the fall.
Optimal Weather Conditions
For one, any time from mid to late September through about early November, the fall temperatures in Virginia are relatively mild. It’s nice that the soil is still warm which will help trees to become established quickly. But the air temperatures are starting to cool down.
In the fall, we don’t have the scorching hot days that we had in the summer, which can put a lot of stress on new trees. On top of that, there’s still plenty of moisture in the air and even some helpful rainfall.
Time to Mature with Less Stress
Planting in the fall also gives your trees an extra growing season before they have to deal with the stresses of summer. While many homeowners worry that their new trees won’t be able to handle the coming winter, that is not the case. Trees will go dormant in the winter (think “hibernate” like animals), which slows the growth rate and energy consumption.
This sleep-like state is a tree’s natural defense against the winter. That’s why it is generally safe to plant trees up until the point that the ground is frozen solid.
When to Plant Trees in Virginia: Spring is Certainly Still an Option
When it comes to the question of is it better to plant trees in fall or spring, we would say for the reasons explained above, the fall presents optimal conditions. However, as we stated previously, it’s certainly still possible to plant a tree in spring and have success. We certainly have plenty of clients who have trees installed in the spring.
The number one consideration is that you’ll need to be a lot more careful about ensuring the tree is receiving enough water. Because summer is just around the corner you can expect that your new tree is soon going to be under added stress.
One product that works well for this is a slow-release watering bag. As the name suggests, this allows water to soak into the soil slowly and over time so that the roots aren’t suddenly shriveling up beneath the surface (unbeknownst to you).
You might need to keep a closer eye on your new tree in the spring and summer just to make sure that it’s continuing to get what it needs. Trees take some time to become established in their new home. One mistake that we commonly see made is that homeowners keep up with watering and checking in on their tree when it’s first installed but they lose track of it and let it go for many weeks unattended.
Then they get to the hot summer days and realize their tree is really struggling.
You want to avoid this by keeping up with ongoing care. No matter what time of year you plant, your tree is going to need care following installation.
Other Important Considerations when Planting Trees
Of course, the best time to plant a tree in Virginia is only one consideration that needs to be taken into account when it comes to planting. Here are some other things that should be taken into account when planting trees.
Choosing Trees
First and foremost, we want to say a few words about choosing trees. The fact is, your options abound.
When considering what tree will work best for your outdoor living area, you’ll want to consider what you’re trying to achieve with the tree and where they will be planted. We’ve written a helpful article on choosing trees around patios. Some of the options include Dwarf Weeping Cherry, Japanese Maple, and American Holly, but there are many more.
Of course, if you are choosing a tree near a pool, you might have a whole set of different considerations. You won’t want a tree that drops leaves, flowers, or other debris into your pool so you’ll need to be selective. We’ve also written an article on landscaping around a pool if you want more tips on that.
The point is that there’s a lot to consider and you want to make sure that the landscaper you’ve chosen is taking multiple factors into account when helping you choose the best trees for your property.
Right Plant, Right Place
Also critically important is a concept in the landscaping industry known as “right plant, right place.” This means that planting the right tree in a location that is optimally suited to its needs will be critical to your success.
You need to consider how much sun, shade, and moisture the tree needs and how much it will be able to receive at the planting site. You have the power to set your tree up for a lifetime of success or failure by ensuring that you plant it in the right place for its needs.
What the Tree Will Become at Full Maturity
You also need to consider what the tree will be like at full maturity. Will it have enough room where you’ve installed it?
You want to make sure that you’re not planting too close to any structures. While the tree is small now and might not seem like it will interfere, as it grows, it can start to pose problems if you have branches overhanging an area that you don’t want them or roots growing beneath your patio and lifting up slabs of stone.
Mulching Around Trees for Success
Finally, mulching is also really beneficial to a newly installed tree. A mulched tree ring will make a huge difference in helping your tree’s roots to retain water. Mulch helps to prevent evaporation from the wind and the sun. Mulch also helps to insulate the soil temperature and protect the sometimes fragile roots from being scorched by the sun’s rays.
The key is to mulch properly. You do not want to pile mulch up against the trunk. Unfortunately, we sometimes even see professionals making tree mulching mistakes. Creating a “mulch volcano,” where mulch is piled up against the trust and tapered down (resembling a volcano) is really bad for the health of your tree.
The biggest problem is that this can cause something called bark rot by not letting the tree breathe. As the bark begins to rot, the tree can become susceptible to diseases and pests.
The correct way to mulch around a tree is more like a donut than a volcano. The tree trunk should be at the center of the donut without any mulch mounded up against it.
Making the Best Tree Choices for Your Northern Virginia Property
At the end of the day, when to plant trees in Virginia is one of many considerations that come into play when designing a landscape that includes trees. It’s so important that you’re working with a landscape contractor who has a lot of experience and background knowledge on trees so that they can help you make wise choices from the very start.
When your landscape design is done and it’s time to enjoy your gorgeous outdoor living area, the last thing that you want to be worrying about is that you chose a tree that wasn’t the right fit or you installed it at the wrong time.
Instead, all you should be able to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy your gorgeous new outdoor living space. With the right landscape contractor as your partner, that’s what you’ll be able to do.
Are you ready to get started on the outdoor living space of your dreams at your Haymarket, Gainesville, or Round Hill, VA home? If so, talk to an expert, choose a solution that rocks, and get ready to see your dreams begin to take shape!
