When to Plant Trees and Shrubs in Ontario: The Best Times of Year
Spring or fall? A simple guide to the best planting windows in Ontario, which trees handle our winters, and the mistakes that kill new trees.
Whether you are considering a full fence replacement or repairing individual leaning posts after an Ontario winter storm, understanding local bylaws, proper material grading, and frost-depth engineering will save you thousands of dollars over the lifespan of your property.
Key Topics Covered in this Guide:
- The Two Best Windows
- The Worst Time
- Trees That Do Well in Ontario Yards
- The Mistakes That Kill New Trees
- Let Us Do the Digging
Spring or fall? A simple guide to Ontario's two best planting windows, which trees and shrubs handle our winters well, and the three simple mistakes that kill most new trees.
A tree is the best long-term investment you can make in your yard — it grows in value every year. But in Ontario, planting at the wrong time can kill a tree before it ever gets started. Here is when to plant, and how to do it right.
The Two Best Windows
Early spring (April–May). The ground has thawed, rain is regular, and the tree has a full season to grow roots before winter. This is the best time for most trees and shrubs.
Early fall (September–mid-October). The soil is still warm, the air is cool, and the tree puts its energy into roots instead of leaves. Fall planting works very well for maples, oaks, and most shrubs — just finish at least four to six weeks before the ground freezes.
The Worst Time
Mid-summer. Heat and dry soil put a new tree under stress exactly when its roots are too small to find water. If you must plant in July, be ready to water deeply every two or three days.
Trees That Do Well in Ontario Yards
For our climate (zones 5–6), reliable choices include maple, serviceberry, eastern redbud, honey locust, and flowering crabapple. For privacy, cedars remain the classic hedge — plant them in spring so they root well before their first winter.
The Mistakes That Kill New Trees
Most new trees do not die from cold. They die from three simple mistakes:
- Planting too deep. The root flare — where the trunk widens — must sit at ground level, not below it.
- Too little water in year one. A new tree needs deep watering once or twice a week for the entire first season.
- Mulch against the trunk. Mulch is great, but pile it in a "volcano" against the bark and it rots the trunk. Keep a small gap.
Let Us Do the Digging
We plant trees and shrubs with proper soil preparation, correct depth, and a one-season care plan — so your investment actually grows. See our tree and shrub planting service or request a free estimate .
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