When to plant trees: while they are dormant, from leaf drop in fall to bud break in early spring. In zones 6 to 8, including most of Tennessee, fall is best. In colder zones, plant in early spring. Bare-root trees go in only while dormant. Potted trees can go in longer, with steady watering.
We are Tennessee Wholesale Nursery, the family-owned wholesale nursery in Altamont, Tennessee, near McMinnville, growing trees, shrubs, perennials, wetland and native plants. Here is our planting calendar by zone and month.
Why the dormant season is when to plant trees
A dormant tree is resting. It has dropped its leaves and is not pushing new growth. That makes it the easiest time to move it.
- Soil stays warm well into fall, while the air cools. Roots keep growing in that warm soil.
- With no leaves, the tree loses far less water. Less water loss means less transplant shock.
- The tree puts its energy into new roots instead of new leaves.
- By the time summer heat arrives, a fall-planted tree has had months to settle in.
University of Missouri Extension explains that root growth follows soil temperature, so earlier fall planting gives roots more time before the soil cools. Read their notes on fall planting for trees and shrubs.
When to plant trees by USDA zone, month by month
Your USDA hardiness zone tells you how cold your winters get. The colder the zone, the shorter the fall window. This table is for deciduous trees and shrubs. Evergreens go in early fall (September to early October) or early spring in every zone.
| USDA zone | Best window (deciduous) | Second choice | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zones 3 to 5 (cold winters) | Early spring, once the ground thaws (about April to May) | Early fall (September), well before the ground freezes | Late fall, frozen ground, midsummer |
| Zone 6 (cool winters) | October to December, on days the ground is not frozen | March to April | Frozen ground, June to August |
| Zone 7 (mild winters) | October to December | January to March | Frozen or soggy ground, June to August |
| Zone 8 (warm winters) | October to December | January to early March | June to September |
Tip: Most of Tennessee falls in zones 6 and 7. The winter months in this table are for deciduous trees and shrubs. Evergreens go in early fall or early spring. In any zone, skip days when the ground is frozen or waterlogged.
When to plant trees in Tennessee
In Tennessee, tree planting season runs from early fall through winter. The Nashville Tree Conservation Corps uses changing leaf color as the sign it is safe to start. It names late spring and summer as the worst times, and frozen ground as a time to wait.
- October to December: the prime window for most deciduous trees and shrubs.
- January to February: still good on days the ground is not frozen. This is peak bare-root season.
- March to early April: fine before buds open. Plan on more watering as it warms.
- May to September: potted plants only, and only if you can water often.
Bare-root vs potted trees: two different windows
A bare-root tree is dug from the field while dormant and shipped with no soil on its roots. A potted (container) tree grows in a pot and keeps its soil. That one difference changes when you can plant.
| Question | Bare-root trees | Potted trees |
|---|---|---|
| When to plant | Only while dormant: about November to early April in Tennessee | Fall is best; spring is fine; summer only with steady watering |
| How fast to plant | As soon as they arrive, before roots dry out | Can wait a few days in the pot if kept watered |
| Before planting | Soak the roots in water for a few hours | Water the pot well and loosen circling roots |
| Why choose them | Light to ship and easy to plant in quantity | A longer planting season |
Many of the trees on our list below are offered as bare-root stock. For how our bare-root plants are packed and how to handle them on arrival, see our bare-root information page.
Evergreen vs deciduous trees
Deciduous trees drop their leaves in fall. Plant them after leaf drop, any time the ground can be worked, until buds swell in spring.
Evergreens keep their leaves or needles all winter, so they keep losing water. Give them more time to root in. Plant them in early fall or in early spring, not in the depth of winter. The Missouri Extension notes linked above also advise planting less-hardy plants early in fall, or saving them for spring.
Best time to plant shrubs
Shrubs follow the same calendar as trees. Fall is the best time in zones 6 to 8, and early spring is the backup. Bare-root shrubs go in only while dormant, just like bare-root trees.
- Deciduous shrubs, like dogwoods: plant from leaf drop through early spring.
- Evergreen shrubs, like boxwood: plant in early fall or early spring, so roots settle before winter wind or summer heat.
- Less-hardy shrubs: plant early in fall, or wait for spring.
Can I plant shrubs in the fall?
Yes. In most of Tennessee and the Southeast, fall is the best time to plant shrubs. Aim for October to December, so roots have warm soil to grow in before winter. Plant evergreen shrubs earlier, in September or early October.
How to plant a tree and water it the first year
Before you dig, call 811 to have underground utility lines marked. Metro Nashville's tree planting page notes it is free and takes 72 hours, not counting weekends and holidays.
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Prepare the roots
Soak bare-root trees in a bucket of water for a few hours. For a potted tree, water the pot and gently loosen any roots circling the outside.
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Dig wide, not deep
Make the hole two to three times as wide as the roots, and no deeper than they grew. Loose soil around the sides lets new roots spread.
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Set the tree at the right height
The root flare, where the trunk widens into roots, should sit at ground level. For bare-root trees, spread the roots over a small mound of soil.
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Backfill and water deeply
Fill with the soil you dug out. Firm it gently to remove air pockets, then soak the whole root area.
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Mulch
Spread mulch in a wide ring over the root area. Keep it a hand's width away from the trunk.
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Water through the first year
Keep the soil moist, not soggy. Check it with your finger each week and water when the top few inches are dry. Too much water can drown the roots, so skip a week after good rain.
Care and keeping: Skip fertilizer at fall planting. Let the tree grow roots first. Our planting instructions cover the steps for our own stock.
Trees and shrubs to plant this dormant season
These trees and shrubs are grown and sold by Tennessee Wholesale Nursery. Browse the full Trees collection for more.
- Red Maple Tree: a deciduous tree. Plant it from leaf drop to bud break.
- Willow Oak Tree: a deciduous oak for the fall-to-early-spring window.
- Redbud Trees: plant while dormant, before spring buds open.
- Black Willow Tree: plant from leaf drop through early spring.
- Black Locust Tree: a deciduous tree for the dormant season.
- Silky Dogwood: a deciduous shrub. Plant it after leaf drop.
- Wintergreen Boxwood Shrub: an evergreen shrub. Plant it in early fall or early spring.
Questions about tree planting season
Is October too late to plant trees and shrubs?
No. In Tennessee and most of the Southeast, October is one of the best months to plant. The soil is still warm, so roots keep growing while the air cools. Plant evergreens early in the month if you can, and water whenever the soil dries out before winter.
Is it too late to plant a tree?
Not while the ground is unfrozen and the tree has not leafed out. In zones 6 to 8 you can keep planting through winter and into early spring. Bare-root trees must go in before their buds open. Potted trees can go in later, as long as you water steadily.
What month can you plant shrubs?
In Tennessee, October to December is the best window for shrubs, and February to March is a good second choice. Evergreen shrubs do best in early fall or early spring. Avoid June to August unless you can water often, since summer heat is hard on new roots.
