Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.  Warren Buffett

Fig Tree by Yvonne Ayaub

As we get into cooler weather and before plants go dormant, now is the optimum time to transplant trees and shrubs.  Fall is the best time to plant fruit trees as roots will have time to grow without the stress of summer temperatures.  You might consider pear, Japanese persimmon or fig trees, as these are the easiest to grow in our area.  Fruit trees need at least 8 hours of full sun daily and adequate drainage is also important.  Plant or transplant other trees and shrubs approximately 4 weeks before first frost. This gives plants and their roots sufficient time to settle into their new location before freezing weather strikes and hibernation takes over.

There are lots of reasons to add more trees to your landscape.  Trees absorb sound and reduce noise pollution. This is especially important for people who live near freeways. In some cases, a well planted group of trees can reduce noise pollution by up to 10 decibels, which is pretty impressive.  Three trees properly placed around a house can save up to 30% in energy use. Plant on the west and northwest to provide mid-to-late afternoon shade. We recommend deciduous trees because they drop their leaves in the fall, letting in more light and heat during the winter.