Tree Species Recommended for Fall Planting
This is a compilation of tree species identified in various Extension resources as recommended for fall planting or for waiting until spring to plant. Some species appear on both lists.
Need a refresher? Before you begin, check out 5 Steps to Plant a Tree to make sure your newly planted trees get a strong start.
Trees Suggested for Fall Planting:
(September through early October)
- Apple
- Elm
- Catalpa
- Horse chestnut
- Hackberry
- Linden
- Most maples
- Crabapple
- Hawthorn
- Redbud
- Honey locust
- Sycamore
Shrubs suggested for fall planting
It’s Better to Wait: Trees That May Do Better with a Spring Planting
- Cherry
- Plum
- Oak
- Gingko
- Birch
- Beech
- Hawthorn
- Magnolia
- Red maple
- Poplar
- Redbud
- Tulip tree
- Sweet gum
- Willow
- Evergreens*, including hemlock, arborvitae, and other broad leaved evergreens
Shrubs not suggested for fall planting
- Dogwood
- Rhododendron
- Azalea
*Do you still want or need to plant an evergreen?
Evergreens, such as pine or spruce, can still be planted, but you need to plant earlier than a typical fall planting (by mid August-September) and ensure proper watering. Evergreen trees and shrubs are especially prone to winter burn, so extra care is needed to keep plants healthy.
Author: Amy Freidig, UW-Madison Extension
Rev. 08/2024
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