THE GRATEFUL GARDENER

by Tim Kennelty

It’s Fall: Time to Plant Native Trees and Shrubs

Even though we’ve had almost summer-like weather over the past few weeks, the nights are getting cooler and yes, the calendar clearly says Fall is here. So, for me anyway, it’s a good time to think about native trees and shrubs.  

Fall is normally a great time to plant or move trees and shrubs. Although with the dry weather we’ve been having, a little extra care should be taken with watering in new plantings to make sure your new trees and shrubs get established before the freezing winds of Winter arrive. For more detailed information about fall planting of trees and shrubs, see: https://www.arborday.org/perspectives/why-its-great-plant-trees-fall and https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/home-lawn-garden/fact-sheets/fall-planting-for-trees-shrubs

Red Maple

Fall is also a great time for bargain hunting because many nurseries want to reduce or sell out their inventories before closing for the season. Local nurseries where I have found good bargains in the past include: Ward’s in Great Barrington; Pondside in Hudson; and Phantom Gardener in Rhinebeck. Catskill Native Nursery in Kerhonksen has a famous end-of-season event when they reduce prices and even give away some items for free. So, start your engines and get ready to find the tree or shrub of your dreams at a bargain price. Just know you might need to wrestle me for that beautiful Sourwood tree.

 I also take note at this time of year of the of the trees and shrubs that have the most beautiful leaf color. Fall color is one of the many attributes I consider when thinking about adding a new tree or shrub to my landscape.

Sassafras

 Of course, fall color can vary from year to year, depending upon rainfall, temperature and other factors, but some of my favorite trees that have consistently beautiful fall color are Red and Sugar Maples, Sassafras, Dogwoods, Black Tupelos and Sourwoods.

For more on native trees that not only have beautiful fall color, but also are beneficial to wildlife, see: https://www.audubon.org/news/native-trees-incredible-fall-foliage-and-birds-love-them

So get out there, because October is a great time for tree and shrub bargain hunting, planting and leaf peeping.

That’s all for now. Remember to plant native! 

For comments about this column, gardening topics you’d like to read about, or general gardening questions, you can reach me at: tjkennelty@gmail.com