Would you plant trees in the fall. I want to plant some Aspen in August would you plant them or should I wit till spring.

I don't know about the climate in your neck of the woods snowy. But here, the best time of the year to plant trees with roots or in pots is the fall.

Forever, we planted trees in the spring (mid/late Feb) cause that was what was always done and didn't question it. IMO, that philosophy make zero sense, as here many trees will start budding out come March. Then the tree has to deal with planting shock, growing new roots, and also putting leaves on all at the same time. You can be successful with spring plantings on larger trees, but they need a lot more TLC IMO.

If plant in late fall when tree is going dormant, then can put in the ground in Nov/Dec and let tree take up good winter moisture for its roots (as the roots still grow during dormancy), then it gives them a better head start come spring IMO and experience.

If they are potted or in root ball ....then yes

If you're digging I'd do it in spring before leaf out

if your still getting 90+ heat in august, may as well wait till it cools down or they go dormant. with the kind of springs you guys have, youd be lucky to get it in the ground by june if you wait to spring.

Excellent advise!! They tell fall at least 6 week before first hard freeze and water the heck out of them till freeze up. They will be in a large tub root ball trees.

Take a good knife or small saw and cut the heck out of the roots within the rootball right before you put them in the ground. Dig the hole twice as big as the rootball, add a 1/3 full with water, and then add good dirt accordingly. Mulch the heck out of it. I know snow probably give you insulation/mulch in MT, but here, we get 100 degree days in February. Mulch is a game changer for a tree you really need to survive.

Good advice Chancey.

You'll get a big boost in late fall planting of trees. They start to root out long before the limbs show any life at all. The trick is not to disturb them before they go dormant for bare root trees.

I like fall planting but it can be hard to find nurseries that sell in fall.

I planted Kieffer and Ayers pear trees last fall and this spring. These were potted trees I bought from home Depot. The ones I planted last fall have 12 - 18 inch shoots this year. The one I planted this spring only have leaves.

Plant when the trees are dormant in the fall or winter. Might wanna dig the holes where you want them BEFORE the ground freezes up if that's a problem up there.

Frost heaving could be an issue late in the year.

Yep I'm going to plant in the fall from all the good news I have read. I have a nursery that has has trees all year long till freeze up.

I have a bunch of cedars to transplant some nice ones pop up here and there I’m moving them to my shelter belts. Lost a lot of trees when the lake flooded several years ago. Waiting until fall will relocate them and soak them well and see how it goes then.

One place I turkey hunt did a lot of “cedar beating” in the river breaks a few years ago I noticed young trees coming in large numbers there now. I don’t think that was the plan for them to come back so soon but boom here they are.

Are they potted or root balled ? .....why wait . They'll do better getting them in the ground now

If you're gonna dig them up for transplant, waiting till fall is better . Better yet is spring , during first signs of green bud .

Fall transplant equals less success and you won't know till spring

I had over 1000 aspens at one time in different caliper and heights , all from bare root seed stock outta Washington.

I would dig a select amount and pot early spring ....ready for sale early summer .....never lost one

Potted is what I will be getting. End of August is suppose to be a good time is what that local nursery told me. It gets so hot here now for 6 t0 8 weeks and should have some good time to root in and go dormant.

That works snowy.....especially if they are taking great care of them . And if your not able to keep them watered daily .


I find some nurseries and big box stores do a lousy job with consistent watering. Stressing out the tree . In this case it's better to get them in the ground right away .