Which Trees and Shrubs to Plant in Fall, and Which to Save for Spring
Maple, linden, elm, crabapple, honeylocust, and most deciduous shrubs root well in fall. Oak, birch, magnolia, ginkgo, sweetgum, and broadleaf evergreens...
Published by ThriveThyme
trees shrubs fall planting spring planting
The Short Answer
Trees with lots of fine, fibrous roots handle fall planting well. Trees that grow fewer, larger roots, and most evergreens, do better in spring in cold zones (Morton Arboretum). These lists come from northern sources: Illinois, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin. In the South, fall is the best season for nearly everything (Clemson).
Check any tree on the Fall Tree and Shrub Planting Desk.
Good to Plant in Fall
| Tree or shrub | Sources |
|---|---|
| Maple (most, not red maple) | Morton, UMass, Wisconsin |
| Linden | Morton, UMass, Wisconsin |
| Elm | Morton, UMass, Wisconsin |
| Crabapple | Morton, UMass, Wisconsin |
| Honeylocust | Morton, UMass, Wisconsin |
| Hackberry | Morton, UMass, Wisconsin |
| Catalpa | Morton, UMass, Wisconsin |
| Sycamore | Morton, UMass, Wisconsin |
| Buckeye and horsechestnut | Morton, UMass, Wisconsin |
| Kentucky coffeetree | Morton |
| Alder | Morton, UMass |
| Hawthorn, redbud | UMass, Wisconsin lists them both ways |
| Most deciduous shrubs, such as lilac, forsythia, witch hazel | Morton, UMass, Wisconsin |
Pines and Spruces: Only If Early
Pines and spruces can be planted in fall, but early. UMass says before the end of September while the soil is warm. Wisconsin says mid August to September. Evergreens keep losing water through their needles all winter and are prone to winter burn.
Better in Spring in Cold Zones
| Tree or shrub | Sources |
|---|---|
| Oak (most) | Wisconsin |
| Birch | Wisconsin |
| Red maple | Wisconsin |
| Flowering cherry and plum | Wisconsin |
| Magnolia | Morton, Wisconsin |
| Ginkgo | Morton, Wisconsin |
| Sweetgum | Morton, Wisconsin |
| Tuliptree | Morton, Wisconsin |
| Willow | Morton, Wisconsin |
| Beech | Wisconsin |
| Bald cypress, American hornbeam, larch | Morton |
| Hemlock, arborvitae | Morton, Wisconsin |
| Yew | Morton, UMass |
| Rhododendron and azalea | Morton, UMass, Wisconsin |
| Dogwood | Wisconsin |
How the Plant Is Sold Matters
Morton Arboretum notes that some species do not establish as well in fall as in spring when they are sold balled and burlapped. For most home gardeners, the simple rule holds: if a tree is on the spring list and you live in zones 3 to 6, plant it in spring.
In the South
In zones 8 to 10 the soil does not freeze, so roots keep growing all winter. Clemson calls fall the best season to plant shrubs in South Carolina. Texas A&M says plant potted trees and shrubs in late fall and bare root stock in January.
Next Steps
- Check your tree on the Fall Tree and Shrub Planting Desk.
- Read is it too late to plant trees in fall.
- Planting fruit? Use the Fall Fruit Desk.
Sources
- The Morton Arboretum, Fall Planting of Trees and Shrubs
- UMass Extension, Fall Planting
- University of Wisconsin Extension, Tree Species Recommended for Fall Planting
- The Morton Arboretum, How to Plant Trees and Shrubs
- Clemson Extension HGIC 1052, Planting Shrubs Correctly
- Texas A&M AgriLife, Leave leaf litter alone for overwintering insects (November tips)