10/16/2026
Fall is a good time to plant new trees. The ground is warm, air temperatures are cooler, and rain is normally more frequent. All these factors reduce stress on the tree so they can focus on root development. An established root system prepares the tree for next year’s heat and drought. https://extension.purdue.edu/news/county/putnam/2023/09/fall-tree-planting.html
If you are shopping for a new tree, one of the most important things you should do is read the label. An important piece of information people often overlook or do not visualize, is the size of the tree at maturity. Two bits of information on the label, or any description, will give you the mature height and width. Your plant may be only 36 inches tall right now, but in a few years depending on the growth rate, it can reach 10 feet tall or more.
There are several things that make mature size really matter. As a tree grows, shade will be created by its ever increasing canopy. Will this create too much shade over a garden area? If it gets too tall or wide, you may be blocking windows or sightlines that are important. Trees can grow tall enough to interfere with powerlines, which means the utility company may come out and do a less than desirable trim to keep it from interfering with the lines.
Trees reduce noise, provide shade, help freshen the air, provide shelter, protection, and privacy, along with adding value and appeal to your home. The University of Illinois extension has a wealth of information on selection of trees. https://web.extension.illinois.edu/treeselector/ Missouri Dept. of conservation has a chart of popular trees with soil and sun needs along with expected height and growth rate. https://mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/tree-seedlings/tree-growth-information
In 2019 the City of Urbana put out “Under the Canopy: Creating Personal Greenspace” a publication featuring information on what to consider when planning to purchase a new tree, a checklist to help you put the right tree in the right place, and helpful diagrams that can be used to determine proper tree spacing. There is also information on tree species for Illinois that includes mature height and spread, growth rate, preferred planting time, desirable features, adaptability and considerations. There are also nice illustrations of different trees recommended for Illinois to help you choose a shape and special fall coloring. This publication may no longer be available, but this link provides an online version. https://www.hpil.org/DocumentCenter/View/6399/Under-the-Canopy--Creating-Personal-Greenspace
A tree is a big investment, and a well-chosen, properly planted tree will give you a great return on your investment. Do the research now to get the right tree for the right place and enjoy it for years to come.
