Autumn is a good time to plant trees because the soil stays warm enough to encourage roots to grow before winter. This early root development helps trees cope with the following summers heat and dryness. With regular care and watering you can plant container-grown trees at any time (even in Summer). But if that’s not possible, it’s better to wait for cooler autumn weather!

You’ll also find that the trees available in autumn are often taller and more established. Many have grown through the summer, so they’re fuller and denser by the time autumn arrives. Cooler weather also expands your planting options. During the growing season, you’re limited to container-grown plants. But once dormancy begins, bare root and rootball trees become available. These options are often more affordable, especially for hedgerows and larger planting projects.

What is the difference between the different plant types?

As mentioned earlier, we stock container-grown, bare root, and rootball plants during the dormant season. Here’s a quick guide to their differences, key features and benefits:

1. Container grown. Used to describe plants that are grown and fully rooted in pots. You can plant them any time of year, it just best to avoid planting in freezing or extremely hot conditions. They’re easy to handle and reliable. However, they tend to cost more because of the time and materials needed to grow them.

2. Bare Root. These are plants that are grown in a field and are lifted without any soil on the roots. They’re lightweight, easy to transport, and more affordable. Delivery costs are usually lower, and they’re ideal for mass planting. They’re only available when dormant and must be planted quickly. A small failure rate (around 5%) is normal with bare root planting.

3. Rootball. Rootball plants are also field-grown but lifted with a ball of soil around the roots. Some larger plants and evergreens don’t do well as bare root so they are supplied this way instead. Rootballs cost more than bare root but are often cheaper than container-grown trees. They’re also heavier, so delivery may be limited by size or weight.

When are bare root and rootball plants be available?

These plants are usually available from November to March, but the exact start of the season is dependent on the soil temperature. This is because the soil needs to be cool enough to ensure the plants are not actively growing when they are lifted!

In conclusion, autumn is a great time to plant trees, whether you’re using bare root, rootball, or container grown stock. The cooler weather opens up more planting options and makes early care easier. Don’t forget, you’ll still need to water regularly during the first growing season!

Read More:

What is a Container Grown tree? A guide to tree terminology

How to Water Newly Planted Trees

The Best Practices for Irrigating Trees!