We used to get asked this question a lot when we did tree planting. The first thing people would always want to know is when to plant a tree. Well, we love the old saying, “the best time to plant a tree is yesterday and the next best day is today!” Tree planting can really be done at any time of the year especially in Central Texas. Of course, that comes with a caveat. You can plant a tree in Central Texas at any time of the year IF you pay proper attention to the planting process and care of newly planted trees. The exception is fruit trees. These tend to do better if planted in early spring/late winter so they will bear fruit at the proper time.
When in Doubt, Plant in Fall, Y’all
If time is not of the essence, then it may be a good idea to wait until fall to plant your trees. Why? Well, Central Texas gets really hot in late spring throughout the summer and until early fall. Because newly planted trees need lots of water, drought conditions are not conducive to their good health. Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t plant in the late spring or early summer. You can still make sure the tree gets enough water by watering frequently and deeply (to at least one inch in depth). However, it may be better to wait until the weather is better for water retention.
Select the Right Tree for Your Environment
Now, one of the biggest problems people have when planting trees has nothing to do with the time of year that they plant the tree – it’s the type of tree they plant in their yard. It’s always a good idea to do a little bit of research and make sure that the tree you’re planting is best for the area you’re planting it in. Certain types of trees like oak work best in Central Texas. You also want to make sure that the tree meets your personal objectives such as
- Does it give good shade?
- Does it have flowers?
- Does it have fruit?
- Are wildlife attracted to it or not?
How to Plant A Tree Successfully
When you plant a tree, you will want to dig holes no deeper than the size of the root ball. You will want the trunk flare – the section of the trunk that starts to widen – to be located just above the surface of the soil when it’s planted.
Why?
Planting a tree too deep has more potential negative effects on plant health than when you plant a tree that’s too shallow. The holes themselves should also be two to three times as wide as the root ball or container so that the roots can easily spread out in the surrounding soil so as to stabilize the tree and take up the water and nutrients. You will want to remove all rope, wire and burlap from the root ball when planting it because these items can girdle or strangle the systems of the tree.
For more information on tree planting, please stay tuned to our blog. We discuss this concept often.
