Fall is generally considered the best time of year to plant new trees so that they can have an extra growing season before the stress and heat of the summer arrives. Cooler temperatures and increased rain allow newly planted trees to establish a stronger root system. This will make it easier on the trees to adjust to extreme heat or drought conditions during the summer. You may think that young trees cannot survive the winter, but this is not true because trees go dormant during the winter. This hibernation period slows the tree's metabolism and consumption of energy, which halts growth. Therefore, it is safe to plant new trees until the ground is frozen solid, which typically does not happen for more than a few days in late winter in Georgia. As a general rule of thumb, if you are able to stick a spade into the soil, it is still okay to plant your trees.
