Planting Hardwoods

Planting Season

Plant hardwood seedlings at the proper time of year, usually the late winter or early spring when the seedlings are dormant and the ground has thawed (in those areas where the ground freezes). The exact planting season will vary depending on the latitude and the weather conditions. For many States, the soil moisture and temperature are ideal for seedling growth and survival between March and May. A cool (35 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit) overcast day with little or no wind (less than 10 miles per hour) provides ideal conditions.

In most areas, orders for tree seedlings are placed with nurseries in the fall and the seedlings are shipped or picked up in the spring. Fall planting is not recommended for hardwood seedlings because the planting may fail if the seedlings experience desiccation, disease problems, wildlife damage, or winter injury, or if the soil freezes and thaws (which causes frost heaving).

Avoid planting seedlings when the site is excessively wet or dry. Waterlogging or drought stress may result in poor seedling survival and growth. Planting at the proper time allows the seedling root system to become properly established before high temperatures, low rainfall, and excessive wind stress the seedling.