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.