Planting Spartanburg trees in spring or fall has long been a rule of thumb for landscapers.

But in the midst of summer, adding new Spartanburg trees may be on your mind.

So is planting Spartanburg trees during summer really a big no-no?

Learn the rules for summer planting and why spring and fall remain the best time to plant new trees.

Can you plant Spartanburg trees during summer?

Planting Spartanburg trees in summer’s heat may set them up for failure. Warm temperatures and dry elements put stress on a young Spartanburg tree as it tries to establish itself.

When stressed, new Spartanburg trees are quickly depleted of strength, which they need to survive winter and grow healthy next spring. The same is true for transplanting Spartanburg trees in the summer-since they’re settling into a new spot. Their new surroundings can stress them out and prevent them from thriving.

There is one exception to this rule. In summer, you can plant Spartanburg trees grown in plastic containers, rather than bare-root or balled-and-burlapped trees. Because containerized Spartanburg trees already have a healthy root system, they're less likely to experience transplant shock. But, even Spartanburg trees grown in containers need lots of water to survive the summer heat.

Why should I wait to plant my Spartanburg tree in the spring or fall?

During spring and fall, Spartanburg trees are in a dormant stage, meaning their growth is significantly slowed down.

Dormancy coupled with the season’s cool temperatures help promote healthy root development – just in time for the peak growing season in mid-spring.

Plan ahead for your fall or spring planting project! Learn more about proper Spartanburg tree planting.