BRANCH MANAGER

FOR MOST OF US, PLANTING FEVER HITS IN SPRING, BUT FALL IS THE BEST TIME TO SPRUCE UP YOUR GARDEN WITH A NEW TREE AND MAYBE SCORE A CLEARANCE DEAL.

- ERICA BROWNE GRIVAS

Trees have a near-magical ability to transform a landscape, support wildlife and give comfort to the soul. And you don't need an allée of stately copper beeches. A single, well-chosen specimen can provide year-round interest, and ecologists say planting a tree is one of the most impactful ways to help your immediate environment.

It may seem counterintuitive to plant trees right before they go dormant for winter, but early autumn is actually ideal, giving root systems just enough time to establish without the pressures of soggy spring soil or intense summer heat. Of course, we've all seen (or experienced) newly planted trees that are leaning, straggly-or worse. So we asked Ben Heusinkvelt, grounds and orchard manager for Arbor Day Foundation's Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City, Nebraska, for his insights on choosing and caring for a new tree.

1 SHOP SMALLER

While 8-foot-tall potted trees are tempting, Heusinkvelt recommends buying smaller trees averaging 3 feet high (or one to two years old). "Often larger plants have issues with transplant shock. In my experience, the younger trees will transplant better and grow faster." You'll save money and have a stronger tree in the long run.

2 KEEP YOUR TREE HYDRATED