The spring is the best time to plant and the only time to plant bare root stock. However, if you're planting containerized stock, you can plant anytime before mid October. Deciduous trees and shrubs are your best bet. They require some watering throughout the fall and winter, but not as much as evergreens. In selecting your trees or shrubs, consider your space limitations (buildings, driveways, utility lines, fences), soil conditions (do you have good drainage, is the soil too compacted), and water requirements (is supplemental water easily accessible). When planting dig the hole about 2-3 inches shallower and 3-4 times the size of the root ball. No amendments are needed, but be sure to add 3-4 inches of wood chips to prevent early freezing of the soil. Around Thanksgiving wrap the young trees with a crepe type tree wrap to prevent sunscald injury. Maples, Honeylocust and Crabapples are particularly susceptible. Remember to remove the wrap in the late spring.

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