A young maple or crabapple settles in best when the ground is cool and moist, and Delaware gives you two good stretches for that. Plant shade and ornamental trees in March and April, or in October and November, and plant fruit trees in March and April.
When Is the Best Time to Plant Trees in Delaware?
Shade and ornamental trees do best planted in March, April, October or November, while the tree is dormant or just waking and the soil can be worked.
- In February, a tree can still go in on a mild day, as long as the soil is not frozen.
- In March and April, container and balled-and-burlapped trees get a full season of root growth before summer heat arrives.
- Once summer comes, planting gets hard, because heat and dry soil stress new roots. Container trees can still go in if you water them well, but they settle best in the dormant season.
- In October and November, roots keep growing in soil that still holds summer warmth, even after the leaves have dropped.
- In December, planting is still possible when the ground stays open.
Some trees do better planted in spring than in fall: magnolia, dogwood, tuliptree, sweet gum, red maple, birch, hawthorn, poplars, cherries, plums and many oaks. At the Wilmington airport reference station, the last spring frost falls between April 3 and April 14, and the first fall frost between October 26 and November 7. Suburban and rural yards often freeze later in spring and earlier in fall, so check with your county. Delaware sits in USDA hardiness zones 7a to 8a, so winter cold varies a bit from one part of the state to another.
Delaware — the year and the numbers
- State
- Delaware
- USDA zones
- 7a-8a
- Last spring frost
- April 3 to April 14
- First fall frost
- October 26 to November 7
- Annual rain
- 45 in
- Lawn zone
- cool-season
- Source
- NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 Climate Normals, 32F freeze probabilities · Wilmington
When to Plant Fruit Trees in Delaware
Fruit trees go in during March and April, and bare-root trees want that early-spring slot most of all. Plant them while still dormant, before the buds open, as soon as the soil is workable.
Fall planting can also work in November. Container trees are more forgiving than bare-root ones, though they still settle best in the dormant season.
| Kind of fruit tree | When to plant in Delaware | Why then |
|---|---|---|
| Bare-root | March to April, while dormant | The tree has no soil around its roots, so it needs to be in the ground before the buds open |
| Container | March to April, or November | The root ball stays intact, and the cool, dormant season lets roots settle before summer heat |
Plant two or more varieties of pear, plum or sweet cherry, since several of them need a partner nearby for good fruit. The variety details live on the page about fruit trees to grow.
Best Trees to Plant in Delaware
Choose a tree that fits your spot, and Delaware’s mix of cold winters, hot summers and soils that run from wet to dry gives you plenty to pick from. Tough shade trees handle that swing well, and a mix of conifers and hardwoods suits a larger site.
| Tree | How it does in Delaware | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ginkgo | A large shade tree with bright yellow fall color | It tolerates adverse growing conditions |
| London planetree | A medium to large tree for tough spots | It is very tolerant of adverse conditions |
| Thornless honeylocust | A large tree for sites that swing between wet and dry | It tolerates both wet and dry soils |
| American holly | Adds winter interest | It stays green through the cold months |
| White pine | Works well beside hardwoods | Conifers mixed with hardwoods suit a larger site |
Under existing tree cover, shade-tolerant choices such as eastern hemlock, blackgum or sugar maple fit better than sun lovers. Match any tree to your room, your sun and your zone before you buy.
When to Plant, Water and Prune Trees in Delaware
The year for a tree follows the same rhythm: plant while it rests, water while the roots are settling, prune fruit trees before the buds swell.
| Task | Best timing in Delaware | Why then |
|---|---|---|
| Plant shade and ornamental trees | March to April, or October to November | Roots grow in cool, moist soil without summer stress |
| Plant fruit trees | March to April, or November | Bare-root trees go in dormant, before the buds open |
| Water a young tree | Regularly through its first summer, and whenever the soil is dry and not frozen | New roots dry out fast in heat and dry soil |
| Prune fruit trees | February to March, with April as a fallback | The trees are dormant and growth is about to begin |
Apples are pruned first and peaches last, from late March, because peach flower buds are easily hurt by cold. Avoid pruning in fall or early winter, since new growth may not harden before the cold. Young trees wait until February. The page on pruning fruit trees goes deeper.
Where to Get Tree Advice in Delaware
Your county office can help you choose a species that fits your yard and your soil, and it can steer you toward a soil test before planting.
- The University of Delaware Cooperative Extension offers guidance on choosing and caring for trees, so it is a good place to start before buying.
- Your county extension office can take a soil sample and answer questions about a specific yard, and it is worth a visit before spring planting begins.
Common Questions
Can You Plant a Tree in Summer in Delaware?
You can, if the tree comes in a container and you water it faithfully. Heat and dry soil press hard on new roots, which is why the cooler months give a tree an easier start.
Should You Remove the Burlap from a Balled-and-Burlapped Tree?
Set the tree in the hole, then cut away the wire and fold back or remove the burlap from the top of the ball. Leftover wire and burlap can hold roots in, so clear as much as you can.
Can You Plant Trees in Winter in Delaware?
Yes, in December or February, whenever the soil is not frozen and can be dug. Mild stretches in winter let you get a dormant tree in the ground ahead of spring.