When to Plant Trees in Houston: A Seasonal Guide

Houston's Year-Round Planting Advantage

One of the biggest advantages of living in the Houston area is our long growing season. While gardeners in northern states are limited to a narrow spring planting window, Houston homeowners can plant trees successfully during most months of the year. That said, some seasons produce dramatically better results than others, and the ideal planting time varies by species. At Bill Bownds Nursery, we have been planting trees in Katy, Houston, and Richmond for over 50 years, and this guide reflects what we have learned about timing your tree plantings for maximum success.

Fall: The Best Overall Planting Season (October through December)

Fall is hands-down the best time to plant most tree species in the Houston area. Here is why:

• Cooler air, warm soil: Air temperatures drop into the comfortable 60s and 70s, reducing transplant stress on the canopy. Meanwhile, soil temperatures remain warm enough (above 55 degrees) to encourage active root growth through December and even January.
• Root development head start: Trees planted in fall spend three to four months growing roots before the spring growth flush. By the time spring arrives, they have an established root system ready to support vigorous top growth.
• Reduced watering needs: Cooler temperatures and shorter days mean less evaporation and lower water demand. Fall-planted trees need less supplemental irrigation than spring-planted trees.
• Less pest pressure: Many insects that stress newly planted trees are dormant or declining by October.

Fall is the ideal time to plant Live Oaks, Red Oaks, Pecan Trees, and Magnolias. These large shade trees benefit enormously from the extended root development period that fall planting provides.

Late Winter: The Second-Best Window (February through March)

Late winter is the traditional planting season for deciduous trees and an excellent time for container-grown trees of all types. In the Houston area, late winter has these advantages:

• Dormancy advantage: Deciduous trees like oaks and pecans are still dormant, so all energy goes to root establishment rather than canopy growth.
• Spring moisture: Houston typically receives heavy rain in March and April, providing free irrigation for newly planted trees.
• Full growing season ahead: Trees planted in February or March have the entire growing season to establish before their first summer.

This window is especially good for Crape Myrtles, which are best planted just before they break dormancy. It is also the ideal time to plant bare-root fruit and nut trees, though Bill Bownds Nursery sells exclusively container-grown trees, which transplant well in any season.

Spring: Plant Early, Before the Heat (April through May)

Spring planting works but comes with more risk. Houston's spring weather is unpredictable — you might get weeks of gentle rain followed by an abrupt jump to 90-degree heat in late April. If you plant in spring, follow these guidelines:

• Plant as early in spring as possible, ideally before mid-April
• Commit to consistent deep watering through the first summer
• Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture and moderate root temperature
• Consider providing afternoon shade protection for the first few weeks if planting sun-sensitive species

Evergreens like Eagleston Holly and Magnolias can handle spring planting well because they do not go through a dramatic spring leaf-out that diverts energy from root growth.

Summer: Possible but Challenging (June through September)

Summer planting is the hardest time to establish a new tree in Houston, but it is not impossible — especially with container-grown trees. Our trees are grown in containers at the nursery, which means their root systems are intact and suffer less transplant shock than field-dug trees. If you must plant in summer:

• Water deeply every other day for the first two weeks, then twice weekly for the first full growing season
• Apply 4 inches of mulch over the root zone
• Plant in the late afternoon to avoid midday heat stress during the critical first hours
• Consider a temporary shade cloth for the first week if the tree shows signs of wilt

Summer is actually a fine time to plant heat-loving species like Crape Myrtles, which thrive in the heat and will bloom the same season they are planted.

Species-Specific Planting Calendar

Here is a quick reference for the best planting months by species:

• Live Oaks: October through March (best: November)
• Red Oaks / White Oaks: October through February (best: November - December)
• Eagleston Holly: October through April (evergreen - flexible timing)
• Magnolias: October through March (best: November)
• Crape Myrtles: February through June (best: March)
• Pecan Trees: December through February (best: January)

Watering Schedule for Newly Planted Trees

Regardless of when you plant, proper watering is the single most important factor in tree survival. Here is our recommended schedule for Houston-area clay soil:

• Week 1-2: Water deeply every other day, saturating the root ball and surrounding soil
• Week 3-8: Water deeply twice per week
• Month 3-12: Water deeply once per week, adjusting for rainfall
• Year 2: Water during dry spells only (more than 7 days without rain)

"Deep watering" means running a slow hose at the base of the tree for 20 to 30 minutes, or filling the watering basin around the tree two to three times. Avoid frequent shallow watering, which encourages surface roots.

Visit Bill Bownds Nursery Any Time of Year

Our full inventory is available for viewing and purchase year-round. Container-grown trees can be planted any month — the planting windows above simply indicate when establishment is easiest. Visit us at 2110 Cedar Lane, Katy, TX 77494 or call (281) 277-2033 to schedule a nursery visit. We serve Houston, Katy, Richmond, Sugar Land, and all surrounding areas with delivery and professional installation.