Following the tree giveaway for Earth Day in Wakefield, I wanted to post a longer version of the instructions for planting your new tree, supported by the International Society of Arboriculture.
The best time to plant is when trees are dormant: in the fall after the trees lose their leaves, or in the spring before the buds show up. Trees need to be able to establish their roots and they like the cool temperatures to adjust to their new environment. If you get a good quality container-grown tree, or healthy ball and burlap tree from a nursery, you should be able to plant at any time. When burlap trees are dug up for transplanting, they lose a large portion of their root systems, and often show signs of slowed growth due to shock. The most important part of transplanting is to give the tree the best chance possible, which will be discussed in the next post. Prepare the site well, and whether using ball and burlap or container grown trees, handle carefully and make sure the roots are tangle-free before being put into the ground.