THE LEAFLET

Now is a great time to get outdoors and spruce up your landscaping with new trees.

Did you know that some trees do better when planted in the spring than in other months? It’s true.

Some trees, while hardy and dependable, are slower to regrow the roots they lose during the planting process. By planting them in the spring, these trees have an entire growing season for the roots to reestablish before the harsh winter season.

Here are three trees that do great in the D.C. area and are best to plant now.

• River Birch — Relatively pest and disease-free, the river birch is a sturdy tree with beautiful creamy-colored bark.
• Blackgum — One of the first trees to display fall color, the blackgum’s glossy deep green summer leaves transcend first into a deep purple and then burst into yellows, oranges and reds, sometimes all on a single branch.
• Scarlet Oak — Known for both its vivid fall color and lush canopy, this is the perfect tree for the spot in your yard that desperately needs shade.

Planting the right tree in the right location at the right time is the right thing do. Doing so will ensure your tree can get established and flourish in the long term.

Photo credit: Flickr user NatureServe