When to Plant Trees and Shrubs in Alabama

One of the questions we hear all the time at the garden center is:

“When is the best time to plant this?”

When it comes to trees and shrubs in Alabama, the answer might surprise you.

While spring gets most of the attention when people start thinking about gardening, fall is actually one of our favorite times to plant trees and shrubs in Birmingham and Central Alabama.

Our relatively mild winters give newly planted trees and shrubs something extremely valuable: time to establish roots before they have to face an Alabama summer.

At Andy’s Garden Center, we generally tell customers that container-grown trees and shrubs can be planted during much of the year, but some seasons definitely make establishment easier than others.

Here's what you need to know.

So, When Is the Best Time to Plant?

For most trees and shrubs in Birmingham and Central Alabama, October through early spring is an excellent planting window, as long as the ground isn't frozen or excessively wet.

If we had to choose a favorite time, though, we'd pick fall.

Why?

The air is getting cooler, but the soil is still warm.

That combination is perfect for root development.

The plant isn't dealing with the stress of producing lots of new top growth while also trying to survive 95-degree afternoons. Instead, it can begin establishing its root system during fall and continue settling in through our relatively mild winter.

By the time summer arrives, that plant has a head start.

Why Fall Is Such a Great Time to Plant in Alabama

Think about what happens when you plant a shrub in April.

The weather may be beautiful.

Then May arrives.

Then June.

And before long, that newly planted shrub is facing its first Alabama summer without a well-established root system.

Plant that same shrub in October or November and the situation is completely different.

It has months to begin developing roots before extreme heat arrives.

Fall planting can mean:

• Less heat stress
• Slower moisture loss
• Less frequent watering than during summer
• More time for root establishment
• A stronger plant going into its first summer

That doesn't mean you can plant something in October and forget about it, but fall weather definitely gives you an advantage.

Can You Plant Trees and Shrubs in Winter?

Absolutely.

Winter can be an excellent planting season in Alabama.

Many trees and shrubs are dormant or growing very slowly above ground during winter, but their roots can still become established whenever soil temperatures are favorable.

Our Birmingham winters also usually give us plenty of mild stretches when planting is perfectly reasonable.

There are a few times we'd wait.

Avoid planting when the soil is frozen, saturated from heavy rain, or when unusually severe freezing weather is immediately approaching.

Otherwise, don't assume you have to wait until spring just because the leaves have fallen.

Is Spring a Good Time to Plant?

Yes.

Early spring is another excellent time to plant trees and shrubs in Alabama.

Plants are beginning to wake up, garden centers are filling with new inventory, and temperatures are generally still comfortable.

The key is not waiting too long.

A tree planted in February or March has considerably more time to establish before summer than one planted at the end of May.

If you're planning a major spring landscape project, we'd rather see you get started earlier than wait until temperatures are already climbing.

Can You Plant Trees and Shrubs in Summer?

Yes—but you're going to have to pay attention to them.

Container-grown trees and shrubs can be planted during summer, but summer is generally the most stressful time to establish them in Alabama.

A newly planted tree doesn't have the extensive root system of an established tree.

During a stretch of 90-degree temperatures, it can dry out surprisingly quickly.

If you're planting in summer:

• Water deeply and consistently
• Check the soil regularly
• Don't rely on a quick afternoon shower
• Use mulch to help conserve moisture
• Avoid letting the root ball completely dry out
• Pay extra attention during periods of extreme heat

Summer planting isn't impossible.

It just requires more work.

What About September?

September is technically fall on the calendar, but Alabama doesn't always agree.

We can still have temperatures well into the 90s during September.

If you're planting trees and shrubs during early fall, pay more attention to the weather than the date.

Once daytime temperatures begin consistently cooling and nights become more comfortable, planting conditions improve considerably.

That's one reason October and November are such popular planting months in Birmingham.

Do You Need to Wait Until a Tree Goes Dormant?

Not necessarily.

Container-grown trees and shrubs can generally be planted while they're actively growing.

Dormancy can make transplanting easier on some plants, particularly field-grown or balled-and-burlapped material, but you don't have to wait until every leaf falls before planting a container-grown shrub.

The bigger considerations are usually:

temperature, water, drainage, and proper planting technique.

Don't Plant Too Deep

This may be even more important than what month you plant.

One of the most common problems we see with newly planted trees and shrubs is planting them too deep.

Trees especially should not look like telephone poles going straight into the ground.

You should be able to identify the area where the trunk begins widening into the root system—the root flare.

That area should be at or slightly above the surrounding soil level rather than buried several inches underground.

Planting too deeply can create long-term problems that may not become obvious for years.

Be Careful With Alabama Clay

If you garden in Birmingham, there's a good chance you're working with clay soil.

Clay itself isn't necessarily bad.

The bigger problem is often drainage.

One mistake we see is digging an enormous hole in heavy clay and filling it completely with loose, beautiful amended soil.

It sounds helpful, but you may actually create a bathtub.

Water moves slowly through the surrounding clay and can collect in the amended planting hole, leaving roots sitting in water.

When planting in heavy clay, proper planting depth and drainage are extremely important.

For more information, check out our guide to Best Plants for Alabama Clay Soil.

How Big Should the Planting Hole Be?

Here's an easy rule to remember:

Wide is more important than deep.

The planting hole should generally be considerably wider than the root ball, giving new roots loosened soil to grow into.

But you don't want to dig the hole much deeper than necessary.

If the soil underneath the root ball is loosened too much, the plant can settle after planting and eventually end up too deep.

Set the plant at the correct height first, then work outward.

Should You Amend the Planting Hole?

This is another place where more isn't always better.

It's tempting to fill the planting hole with completely different soil because it looks richer and softer than your Alabama clay.

But eventually, the roots have to leave that planting hole.

If you've created a small pocket of perfect soil surrounded by hard clay, the roots may be less encouraged to move outward into the native soil.

Depending on your site, incorporating some organic material may be beneficial, but you generally don't need to completely replace all of the native soil.

The goal is to establish a plant in your landscape, not keep it growing permanently inside the original planting hole.

How Much Should You Water After Planting?

New trees and shrubs need consistent moisture while they're establishing.

Exactly how often you should water depends on:

• Time of year
• Temperature
• Rainfall
• Plant size
• Soil type
• Drainage
• Sun exposure

Instead of automatically watering on a rigid schedule, check the soil.

You want the root zone to receive a good, deep watering and then begin drying appropriately rather than staying constantly saturated.

During summer, you may need to check newly planted material frequently.

During cool, rainy winter weather, the same plant may need very little supplemental water.

Don't Let the Leaves Fool You

A deciduous tree may lose its leaves shortly after you plant it in fall.

That doesn't mean you've killed it.

It may simply be doing exactly what it's supposed to do.

As days become shorter and temperatures cool, deciduous trees and shrubs naturally enter dormancy.

The top of the plant may look like nothing is happening, but the root system is getting an opportunity to establish before spring growth begins.

Should You Fertilize a Newly Planted Tree or Shrub?

More fertilizer isn't always better.

Your first priorities should be:

proper planting, proper watering, and healthy root establishment.

A soil test can help determine whether your soil actually needs additional nutrients.

Avoid assuming that a large dose of fertilizer will make a newly planted tree establish faster. Too much fertilizer can create additional stress or encourage excessive top growth before the root system is ready to support it.

Mulch Makes a Big Difference

Mulch is extremely helpful around newly planted trees and shrubs.

A proper layer of mulch can:

• Help conserve soil moisture
• Moderate soil temperatures
• Reduce weed competition
• Protect the root zone
• Add organic material as it breaks down

But keep mulch away from the trunk.

Don't build a mulch volcano.

Piling mulch high against a tree trunk can hold moisture against the bark and contribute to future problems.

Spread mulch outward over the root zone instead.

How Long Does a New Tree or Shrub Take to Establish?

Usually longer than people think.

Larger plants may take multiple growing seasons to develop an extensive root system.

That's why watering isn't just something you do during the first week after planting.

Keep an eye on newly planted trees and shrubs throughout their first year and particularly during their first Alabama summer.

Even something planted the previous fall may still need supplemental water during extended periods of heat and drought.

What's the Worst Time to Plant?

There's not necessarily one date when planting suddenly becomes a bad idea.

Instead, think about stressful conditions.

We'd rather not plant during:

• Extreme summer heat
• Severe drought without reliable irrigation
• Waterlogged soil after prolonged rain
• Frozen ground
• Immediately before unusually severe weather

If you can avoid those conditions, container-grown trees and shrubs can be planted during a surprisingly large portion of the year in Alabama.

Fall Planting Doesn't Mean You Can Forget About Watering

This is important.

Cooler weather means plants generally lose water more slowly, but newly planted trees and shrubs still need water.

And Alabama fall weather can sometimes be extremely dry.

Check the soil around your new plants regularly and water deeply when necessary.

Keep doing that through winter whenever rainfall isn't providing enough moisture.

The Best Time to Plant Depends on the Plant

While fall is our favorite general planting season, there are always exceptions.

Some plants are more cold-sensitive than others.

Certain evergreens, tropical-looking plants, or borderline-hardy varieties may benefit from spring planting so they have an entire growing season to establish before their first winter.

That's why it's always worth asking about the specific tree or shrub you're purchasing.

Don't Wait Years for the "Perfect" Time

Sometimes homeowners put off planting because they're waiting for the perfect month.

The truth is, proper planting and aftercare matter just as much as the date on the calendar.

A correctly planted tree that receives proper water in spring can do beautifully.

A tree planted during the "perfect" fall weekend can still fail if it's buried too deeply or never watered.

Timing gives you an advantage.

Good planting practices are what make that advantage count.

Need Help Planting Trees and Shrubs?

If you're planning a new landscape, replacing an old shrub, adding a privacy screen, or finally planting that shade tree you've been thinking about, fall is a great time to get started.

Bring us a few pictures of your space along with an idea of how much sun the area receives and how much room you have.

The team at Andy’s Garden Center in Vestavia Hills can help you choose trees and shrubs that fit your landscape and show you how to get them planted correctly.

Because we don't just want your tree to look good the day you plant it.

We want it to still look good ten years from now.

Andy’s Garden Center
3351 Morgan Drive
Vestavia Hills, AL 35216

Serving gardeners throughout Vestavia Hills, Birmingham, Mountain Brook, Homewood, Hoover, and surrounding Central Alabama communities.