FALL
PLANTING
DILEMMAS—SOLVED!
EASY ANSWERS TO TOUGH (AND HONEST) QUESTIONS
Q
Isn't the growing
season over? Shouldn't
we wait until spring to plant?
A. Just the opposite! Davey Technical
Advisor Shawn Fitzgerald tells why
fall planting is best.
ROOT GROWTH
"While it's true that plants go into
their dormant stage in fall," explains
Fitzgerald, "they're not using as much
energy for foliage or what you would
think of as growth. Yes, they're done
generating their nutrients for the year,
but they have more energy for their
root systems. Planting now gives
roots a chance to get established
before the ground freezes."
WEATHER WISE
Fitzgerald says newly planted trees
and shrubs respond well to the
shorter days and cooler nights of
autumn. "This is the absolute best
time of year to plant," he says.
Q
What do we do if
there's no time or
budget for watering newly
planted trees?
A. Nothing. Here's why watering is a
non-issue in fall.
IDEAL CONDITIONS
Truthfully, trees and shrubs can be
planted any time of year—even July.
But unless you're planting in the
fall, maintenance of newly planted
trees can be time consuming and
expensive. Typical fall weather is
conducive for the tree to grow strong
and healthy from the very beginning.
'R' = LOW MAINTENANCE
"Fall is the absolute best time to
plant," says Fitzgerald. "We prefer
to plant in any month with an 'r' in it.
That's September to April, as long as
the ground isn't frozen. Planting in
May, June, July or August can mean
twice the cost of maintenance."
Q
I'm worried about
transplant shock. Help!
Of course you want to protect your
investment. That's one of the reasons
to plant right now.
TREE TYPES
Certain species respond better to fall
planting than any other time of year.
"We don't even dig certain trees until
fall," says Fitzgerald. "Your Davey
representative can talk with you
about which trees respond best to fall
planting in your area."
WATER PROPERTIES
When winter hits, plants typically lose
a lot of water from their branches,
relying on roots to ensure adequate
supply. Planting in fall helps ensure
adequate water supply, which
minimizes transplant shock.
