Can You Plant Trees in the Fall?

Fall is the perfect time for warm apple cider, crisp walks, and planting trees. That's right—you can plant trees in the fall in St. Louis, Missouri. In fact, for some species, it's the best time to do so!

Why Fall is a Great Time to Start Planting

Early fall tree planting is the ideal time for many species for two primary reasons. For one, it gives the root system plenty of time to establish itself during the season's milder soil temperatures. Secondly, autumn rains help hydrate plants at cooler temperatures than summer growing seasons, which is ideal for sensitive, young plants and root systems.

Trees That Do Well in St. Louis Fall Weather

St. Louis City and St. Louis County have average winter extreme temperature ranges from -5°F to 5°F. Certain species do better in this climate than others.

The following deciduous trees, for example, do well in St. Louis fall weather:

• Maple
• Crabapple
• Oak
• Black Gum
• Honey locust
• Linden
• Sycamore

Other trees, like hawthorn, are better suited for spring planting.

Fall Planting Prep

Timing is absolutely important when it comes to making sure your plants have the best chance of survival, but timing isn't everything. You still need to prepare your planting area to ensure your plants can thrive.

The following actions can help prepare your yard for not just new plants, but also help them survive winter dormancy.

1. Remove leaves, mulch, and other debris.
2. Trim shrubs and trees.
3. Check soil levels of phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium.
4. Loosen compacted soil.
5. Add organic material to the soil.
6. Add a layer of mulch (3" to 4") to your newly planted tree.

Post-planting Care & Winterization Tips

Tree care doesn't stop after planting. Be sure to take the following actions to give your plants the best chance of survival:

1. Water new trees to encourage strong root growth. As a general rule of thumb, water new trees once a week until first frost.
2. Cover bare-root trees with burlap right before the first frost.
3. Double-check that all irrigation and drainage systems are working properly, before the ground freezes.

FAQs

Is September to October too late to plant trees?

Depending on your climate, September to October may not be too late to plant trees. Usually, if plants are still green and not changing colors, it's still an acceptable time to plant.

What trees should not be planted in the fall?

Trees that do not do well when planted in the fall include trees with taproots, like ginkos, and broad-leaved evergreen trees, like boxwood and holly.

How do I tell if it's too late in the fall to plant a new tree?

As a rule of thumb, many arborists agree that if trees in your area are still sporting green leaves (i.e., not losing leaves or changing colors, which signals approaching winter dormancy) that it's not too late to plant trees in the fall.