It’s understandable to think fall is the end of the growing season with the leaves changing colors and falling to the ground, but it is in fact a great time to plant a tree, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Late fall is when trees go dormant and it’s before the ground freezes. Planting now means the root systems can grow with the cooler and wet weather, and by early spring, you can see buds opening and the tree flourishing. Waiting until summer to plant can easily stress and threaten a tree’s survival due to the heat and lack of water.
There are so many benefits to planting a tree:
- Shading
- Visual screen
- Windbreak
- Sound barrier
- Food and habitat for wildlife
- Prevent soil erosion
- Improve landscape
- Fruits (if you plant a fruit tree)
- Oxygen
- Reduce air and water pollution
- Reduce storm water runoff
Some tree species recommended for fall planting include the maple, pine, elm, buckeye, hackberry and ash.
Head to the nurseries this holiday weekend to pick up a tree and shrubs for planting.
If you’re a resident or business owner in the New York City area, you can take a tree home for free. New York Restoration Project (NYRP), a non-profit organization has partnered with New York City to lead MillionTreesNYC – an initiative to plant and care for one million new trees throughout the City by 2015.
To pick up a free tree, you must plant it in one of the five boroughs of New York City, properly water and maintain it, and plant it in the ground of your yard. The October Take Home A Free Tree events with NYRP are listed here.
[Source: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation; NYRP.]
Photo by jurgen, via Free Images.