When to plant trees and shrubs in Massachusetts
Spring and fall are both good planting seasons here. What changes is how much watering you'll do and which species to hold for spring.
Fall is often the best window
From late August into October, soil is still warm while air temperatures drop. Roots keep growing while the top of the plant slows down, so trees and shrubs settle in with less stress than in summer heat. On the South Shore you can usually keep planting until the ground freezes, provided you keep watering.
Spring works too
Planting from when the ground can be worked through early June gives a plant the whole season to establish. Expect to water more through July and August than you would with a fall planting.
Some species establish more reliably when planted in spring. Magnolia, tulip tree, birch and some oaks are commonly on that list. If you're planting one of these in autumn, ask us first.
Container vs. balled-and-burlapped
Container-grown plants can go in almost any time the ground isn't frozen, because their roots are intact. Balled-and-burlapped (B&B) trees lose part of their root system when dug, so they benefit most from the cooler planting seasons.
Your hardiness zone
Most of the South Shore falls in USDA zones 6b to 7a on the 2023 map. Enter your ZIP code on the USDA map to check yours, then compare it with the zone range on each plant's page.
Watering after planting
A deep soak once or twice a week beats a daily sprinkle. The goal is roughly an inch of water a week, from rain or hose, through the first full growing season. Keep watering new evergreens in fall until the ground freezes.
Questions
- Can I plant trees in October in Massachusetts?
- Yes. October is a good month for most trees and shrubs on the South Shore, as long as you water until the ground freezes. A few species, such as magnolia and birch, do better planted in spring.
