This year’s early fall weather in Naperville has been a seasonal treat, with slightly cool temperatures, sunshine and low humidity. The trees are preparing for their autumn display of color. With the current spotlight on trees, now is an ideal time to add a tree to your outdoor living space to enjoy for years to come.
Planting in the early fall gives plenty of time for the roots to get established. The Morton Arboretum says, “Survival is likely to be greatest and aftercare least demanding when a tree is transplanted while dormant. Spring and fall have the advantage of moderate temperatures and plentiful rainfall.” In addition, they add, “The trees and shrubs you plant in fall may be dropping their leaves, but that’s no great loss. “
Trees can be planted successfully before the ground freezes. Watering regularly until the ground freezes is important, so they can begin to establish themselves and grow roots. Further, fall is a good time to plant because the temperatures are milder than summer, making it easier for the plant to acclimate in the still warm soil. The tree can spend its energy growing roots in the fall and again in the spring, before expending energy on producing leaves.
The type of tree you choose to plant will vary according to your goals. Are you looking for a shade tree to provide brilliant color in the fall? Maples such as Autumn Blaze, Red Sunset, and October Glory are good choices. These are hardy trees that will provide enjoyment for a lifetime. Many other deciduous and conifer trees are also good choices for planting now.
O’Donovan Landscaping has a large selection of mature trees and can help you select the right ones for your home. Our experts can also advise you on proper planting techniques, or we can plant it for you. Our Plainfield nursery has many from which to choose.
We are currently offering 20% off trees at our Plainfield nursery! Click here to view the 20% coupon. Give us a call at (815) 436-6806 (Plainfield location) and come out to view them. We are a short drive from Naperville. Or, call our design center on Quincy St. in Naperville at (630) 355-3370 and speak to our landscape designer about choosing the right tree for you.
weeks on your rose petals. While the good news is that their damage is temporary in most cases, they can ruin the beauty of your roses while they are active. Japanese beetles are attracted to many ornamental plants, and we’ve seen their damage on crabapple, cherry and linden trees in our area, among others. One more thing about the Japanese beetles: while traps are readily available to buy and hang in your yard, we don’t recommend them. The traps just attract more beetles to your yard, and may aggravate the problem.
scab this year. If you’ve noticed small black to green spots that seem to grow on the leaves or fruit of your crabapple, they may be apple scab. While unsightly and unappetizing, this fungus can cause serious damage and should not be ignored. A good way to prevent it next year is to do a thorough cleanup this fall, removing all affected leaves and branches from the tree. Don’t add them to your compost pile as the fungus can overwinter. In many cases, the tree will recover.
