Fall is Best for Planting Trees and Shrubs

Written by Lynsey Johnston 
If you are looking to add more trees and shrubs into your yard, the best time to get started is now ! Take the time leading up to the fall equinox to select the species and varieties that will work best for your space.

Simple planning guide to help you choose your species:
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1. Determine your soil type to help you understand the rate at which water moves through the soil (infiltration rate). You can do this by conducting an infiltration test. This will be helpful in determining the best trees for a space. 

2. Do a soil test. We can help guide you in the process or even take the samples for you, for an additional fee.

3. Calculate the amount of sun the selected sites are receiving during the summer. If you wait until fall or winter you will not have an accurate assessment as the sun lowers in the sky and the trees lose their leaves.

4. Decide if you want to plant natives, nativars, or non-natives. You obviously won't want to plant invasives, right? Learn more about invasives from the Hamilton County Invasives Partnership at www.hcinvasives.org

​5. Find a retailer. Great news for you – our native & shrub tree sale is happening just in time for plant planting! Click here to check out our native tree and shrub availability. We are also offering a dozen native flowers and vines this year!
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6. Prep your trees for planting. I recommend fusing mycorrhizal fungi when planting. You can also take a handful of native prairie or woodland soil if you have access and include it in the hole to introduce a healthy microbial community.

Species Suggestions

Understory (dappled light)

• Shrubs: Common Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), Smooth Hydrangea (hydrangea arborescens), Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), Paw Paw (Asimina triloba), Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago)
• Trees: Red Maple (Acer rubrum), Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra)

 
Partial Shade

• Shrubs: Allegheny Serviceberry (Melanchier laevis), Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), Button Bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), Smooth Hydrangea (hydrangea arborescens), Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), Paw Paw (Asimina triloba)
• Trees: Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago), American Basswood (Tilia Americana), Red Bud (Cercis canadensis)

 
​Full sun

• Shrubs: Button Bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata), Paw Paw (Asimina triloba), Allegheny Serviceberry (Melanchier laevis)
  
• Trees: Shagbark Hickory (Arya ovata), Green Hawthorn (Crataegus viridis), Eastern Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), Red Bud (Cercis canadensis)

Visit our Tree Sale