Best Time to Plant Trees in the UK

Planting a tree at the right time gives it the best chance of establishing well. The timing depends on how the tree is supplied and your local conditions.

Bare-root trees: the dormant season

Bare-root trees are lifted from the ground while dormant and sold without soil around the roots. They are cheaper than container-grown trees and often establish better, but they must be planted during the dormant season.

In most of the UK, this means November to March. The ideal window is November to early December or late February to March, avoiding the coldest weeks in January and February when the ground may be frozen.

Plant bare-root trees as soon as possible after buying them. If you cannot plant immediately, heel them into a trench of soil or keep the roots wrapped and moist in a cool place.

Container-grown trees: more flexibility

Trees grown in pots can technically be planted at any time of year because the roots are not disturbed. However, planting in autumn or spring gives the best results.

Autumn planting (October to November) is often ideal. The soil is still warm, encouraging root growth, and autumn rain reduces the need for watering. The tree has all winter to settle in before the demands of spring growth.

Spring planting (March to April) works well too, especially for less hardy species that might struggle with winter cold. You will need to water regularly through the first summer.

Avoid planting in summer unless you can water consistently. Hot, dry weather stresses newly planted trees and makes establishment harder.

Rootballed trees: winter planting

Rootballed trees are field-grown and lifted with a ball of soil around the roots, wrapped in hessian. They are often used for larger specimen trees and evergreens.

Plant rootballed trees from October to March, avoiding periods of hard frost. Handle them carefully to avoid breaking up the root ball.

What about evergreen trees?

Evergreens keep their leaves through winter, so they lose water even when dormant. This makes them more vulnerable to winter planting stress, especially in cold, windy sites.

For evergreens, early autumn (September to October) or mid-spring (April to May) often works better than midwinter. Container-grown evergreens can be planted in autumn before the ground gets too cold.

Regional differences

In milder parts of the UK (south-west England, coastal areas), you can plant later into winter and earlier in spring. In colder regions (Scotland, northern England, upland areas), stick to the core planting windows and avoid planting when frost is likely.

Aftercare in the first year

• Water regularly: Newly planted trees need watering in dry spells for at least the first two summers.
• Mulch: A layer of bark or compost around the base helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Stake if needed: Young trees may need staking for the first year or two until the roots anchor them.
• Protect from damage: Use guards if rabbits, deer or strimmers are a risk.