More to Fall than Red, Yellow and Orange: There is Green

Posted by lindseyshoe

In October leaves are turning red, yellow, orange and brown. As the leaves fall and the trees prepare for winter hibernation, there’s nary a spot of green in sight. But did you know that October is the perfect time to “go green” by planting trees?

The majority of tree sales occur in spring when trees are blooming and after a long winter, when folks are ready to green up their yard. The ground is thawed and the temperatures are mild, so spring seems like a great time to plant trees. It is of course, but don’t overlook autumn, which is also an ideal time to plant trees.
Why is fall a great time to plant trees?
We become ever so much more aware of the trees around us as they burst with color.
But did you know that while the leaves are falling down, the prices of trees are falling down too? Nurseries often offer bargains on trees during October because unplanted trees will not survive winter frost.
Besides the fact that trees are on sale and the weather is cooler for digging holes for trees, autumn is the ideal time for roots to establish faster, because there are no leaves to feed.
Planting trees in the fall requires handling some delayed satisfaction, because your newly planted tree won’t show off new growth, leaves or blooms until spring, but consider it an investment. The tree that you plant in the fall will green up, and those just planting trees will be paying lots more green for theirs.
The Eco-Friendly Benefits of Planting Trees:
Of course everyone knows that trees clean the air and release oxygen, but when you carefully select the right trees, planting them in the right spot offers eco-friendly benefits.
The roots systems of trees act as a water filter.
Trees sequester carbon emissions.
Trees can provide shade and reduce home cooling needs.
Planting native trees supports local native wild life–and native trees are more disease resistant too.
Planting fruit trees will, in time, offer your family locally grown fruit.
Tree Planting Tips:
To give a tree the best start, make sure the hole is shallow; only as deep as the root ball. On the other hand, make sure the hole is at least three times as wide as the root system to allow roots to reach out.

Do trees affect climate change and global warming?
Some new studies such as the one by the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory show that planting trees doesn’t always have the affect on climate control we desire–at least in the short term. So trees may cool your home but may not cool the overall climate, at least not quickly. It’s important to note though that trees offer other positive eco-frienldy benefits, and the long term benefits of planting trees, such as carbon sinking, are really important.
Despite recent stories that planting trees outside of the tropics may not prevent climate change, there are still many eco-friendly and wildlife friendly reasons to plant trees. Autumn is just the right time to go green and plant trees–even as the leaves seem to be going every hue but green.