Fall has finally arrived, bringing a beautiful display of autumnal colors to our trees.
The leaves have taken on a range of gorgeous tones, with all kinds of oranges, yellows, and reds decorating trees around the country.
While the fall is unquestionably one of the best seasons for taking in our trees, it’s also the best time of the year to plant new trees!
It’s easy to assume that spring is the most suitable time for planting tree saplings, yet fall is often a better option.
The Benefits of Planting Trees in the Fall
So, why should you plant trees in the fall?
One of the main benefits of planting during autumn is that the tree has an additional season to establish its roots. When planting in spring, we only give trees a few months to develop and establish roots before the hot summers arrive!
Summer months bring a lot of stresses for trees, such as higher temperatures and prolonged periods of drought. By exposing trees to cooler temperatures and plenty of rain during fall, the roots have more time to establish, better preparing them for upcoming seasons.
Simply put, if you plant a tree during fall, it’s going to be much stronger and healthier!
The Best Trees to Plant in the Fall
Because fall is such an ideal time for planting trees, it’s possible to plant almost any type of tree you want. You’ll want to give your tree around six weeks of moderate fall temperatures, giving it enough time to establish before the soil freezes in winter.
Here’s some of our top picks for which trees to plant in the fall:
- Live Oak
The Live Oak is a towering tree that reaches up to 50 feet tall. Featuring a surprisingly short yet thick trunk, the Live Oak has a massive sweeping canopy with lush green foliage. This large canopy isn’t just a beautiful sight for property – it also provides a welcome shade from the searing Texas heat!
Once you’ve planted the Live Oak in fall, it has more time to establish roots for healthier growth come spring. By summer, the tree will have developed hardy wood that offers excellent protection from stress.
- Cedar Elm
Cedar Elms are common throughout Central Texas, mainly due to their high drought tolerance. Planting in the fall is a great idea because you give the tree plenty of time to establish itself before the summer droughts.
A versatile tree species, Cedar Elms can be planted in almost any type of soil, making them a good choice for any region of central Texas. Cedar Elms produce a beautiful canopy that offers plenty of shade, while the foliage takes on a gorgeous golden yellow color during the fall.
- Chinese Pistache
The Chinese Pistache is an increasingly popular tree throughout Central Texas, namely for the beautiful foliage. In spring, the tree produces reddish-orange leaves, then taking on a deeper burgundy tone by the fall, giving you a gorgeous foliage to enjoy throughout the seasons.
Another big selling point for the Chinese Pistache is that it is simple to care for. They’re hard-wearing and drought-tolerant, requiring minimal upkeep once established. So, planting during the fall gives the tree the best chance to thrive come spring and summer.
- Bald Cypress
The Bald Cypress is a native tree species in Texas, making them a good choice for most regions in the state. While they’re typically found in wetter areas, their hardiness means that they can withstand drier soil conditions too.
A unique feature of the Bald Cypress is its leaves – they have a striking feather-like appearance! The tree produces a wider canopy at the base, narrowing at the top to give it a distinct triangular shape that still offers plenty of shade.
- Crape Myrtle
If you want a tree with vibrant foliage throughout the year, then look no further than the Crape Myrtle.
The tree produces a wide range of colorful flowers in the spring, including red, white, pink, and purple tones depending on the type planted. By fall, the leaves take on an assortment of autumnal colors including yellows, reds, and oranges. Plant a Crape Myrtle in the fall to get those gorgeous flowers blooming by spring!
One thing to keep in mind while considering the planting of new trees is space. If you currently have large trees with dead branches, or trees that may need to be removed prior to planting new ones, now is the time. Good Guys Tree Service is there for all of your tree trimming and tree removal needs.
