When warm, spring weather arrives, many people want to get outdoors and enjoy their yard and spruce it up. However, while there are some plants that should be planted in the spring and summer months, this typically isn’t the case when it comes to trees. Since Kansas City experiences rather severe winters, it is a good idea to consider tree planting activities carefully.
There is both a short and long answer to the question of when you should plant your trees.
Planting Trees: The Short Answer
Generally speaking, the ideal time to plant trees is late in the winter or during the early months of spring.
This period is usually followed by moderate weather in the north, which is the perfect time for a newly transplanted tree to become established. If that doesn’t work for you, then try to plant in the fall. Summer is never a good choice because the weather is extremely hot and plants that are actively growing are extremely susceptible to damage.
Also, the weather is going to restrict the options in the winter because the cold will cause the ground to become frozen. If you are able to handle the digging ahead of time, in the fall, prior to the first freeze, then you may be able to plant trees in the winter. However, unless you are able to water them properly, early and mid-winter are not the best planting times.
Planting Trees: The Long Answer
The longer answer associated with when you should plant trees takes into consideration everything above and a bit more.
It is best to plant trees when they are dormant, or when they aren’t operating at the peak level of growth. This is when handling them is going to be least disruptive. In the Northern Hemisphere, trees enter dormancy in the autumn and then leave the stage in the spring. However, this varies based on the type of tree you plan to plant.
Deciduous Trees
It is easier to determine when deciduous trees are entering dormancy because their leaves will begin to fall. The unfurling of buds during the spring months indicate the trees are leaving this state. These physical signs are beneficial and go a long way when it comes to getting a new tree planted.
Evergreen Trees
Determining when to plant evergreen trees is a bit more challenging. This is because there is no signal or indication. While these trees don’t grow as much in the winter, they don’t undergo the same dormancy that the deciduous plants do, either. However, evergreens are pretty tough. This gives you more leeway if you are planting them. In most cases, you can plant them earlier in the fall or later in spring with no issues.
Keep in mind, one of the biggest enemies of new plants is extreme heat. However, the lack of water comes in a close second. Make sure you take this into consideration when planting trees. You can also call the professionals to help with this job and ensure your trees have the best chance of remaining healthy after being planted.
