How to Plant Trees in the Fall
When is the best time to plant trees in Alberta? Spring and fall. Most people are surprised to hear that fall is a good time to plant trees especially with winter being around the corner. However, fall provides favourable conditions for planting trees as soil tends to have more moisture, the weather is cooler and more humid which is ideal for planting trees.
Here are 6 tips for planting trees in the fall:
1) Choose the right spot.
Find a spot in your yard that has sufficient space based on the anticipated size of the tree. Ensure there is enough room for roots and branches to expand and without being hindered by a fence, the side of the home or other trees.
2) Plant trees at the right time.
Plant trees when they are dormant which is when they have lost their leaves. Avoid planting trees during hot days or mid-day when the sun is at its hottest. Keep tree roots in the pot until you’re ready to plant so that the root-ball doesn’t dry out from the elements like wind or sun.
3) Prepare to plant.
Dig a large, deep hole leaving 2 feet around the tree root-ball on all sides. Loosen up the tree root-ball before planting in the ground. Take a knife and score the sides and use your hands to rough up the edges.
4) Plant the tree with care.
Grab the trunk by the base and place the root-ball into the centre of the hole. Ensure the root-ball is deep enough with room for about 1 foot of soil on top. Fill the hole with high-quality soil.
5) Water, water, water.
Water the tree well upon planting and ensure you give the tree plenty of water in the following weeks. Cover the soil surrounding the tree with mulch or bark chips to protect soil from erosion, keep the soil moist and protect the roots. Depending on the type of tree, you may need to fertilize but typically this is not done in the fall. (Ask the staff at the nursery or greenhouse to be sure.)
6) Sit back and enjoy!
Planting trees in your yard is so rewarding. You can have the family help out and then watch the tree grow for years to come!
If you have any questions about which soil to use, how much mulch is needed or to get landscaping supplies delivered to your door, please contact us. To stay up to date on offers and what's new at Rockland, sign up for our newsletter.