We want to plant an orchard this fall, but it is difficult to find trees for that time of year. There is a lot of information about planting trees in spring. What is a good time to plant an orchard in the fall?
If you're going to plant fruit trees in the fall, wait until the weather cools down (October, for example). Trees should ideally be dormant, meaning they are losing or have lost their leaves. Dormant trees have a higher amount of carbohydrates stored in the roots, which is important for spring growth.
It can be difficult to find bare root fruit trees in the fall. Nurseries wait until the trees are dormant to dig them up, which may be as late as January. If you want to plant earlier in the fall, you may have to use potted trees. Potted trees are not ideal because they can be root-bound and are more expensive.
Early spring (February or March, for example) is an ideal time to plant bare root trees. Early spring planting is preferred for areas in southern, central, and eastern Oregon with low winter temperatures. You will likely find more bare root trees available in early spring. Be sure to plant bare root trees while they are still dormant.
Your local nursery may have a limited selection of bare root trees or may only offer potted trees. Bare root trees can be ordered online from many nurseries in the Pacific Northwest. You may also find a larger selection of bare root trees online. Residents in Oregon's colder regions should pay close attention to the USDA hardiness zone when selecting a tree.
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