Question: What is the best time to plant new trees and shrubs?

Answer: Most woody plants do especially well when they are set out in the fall. Serious horticulturists prefer fall plantings since it allows the plants the balance of the fall, all winter and all spring to establish their new roots before the summer's hot, dry weather. Spring and summer plantings can also work well so long as you hand-water the new plants for the first season. Their roots will all be in the original soil ball from the nursery initially, and that soil will dry out much more quickly than the native soil in your landscape. Winter plantings work well, but avoid plants known to be winter-tender in your area.