Bare branches in winter and a flush of new leaves in spring both tell you something about tree roots: they work best when the tree is not busy growing. In Nevada, that means planting in the cool, dormant stretch of the year, and the timing differs for shade trees and fruit trees.
When Is the Best Time to Plant Trees in Nevada?
Shade and ornamental trees do best when planted in October, November and December, though trees can go in almost any time of year if you are willing to water them more.
- In February and March, bare-root trees show up for sale, and they go into the ground while still dormant, before the buds open.
- Through spring, a container-grown tree can be planted if you keep it watered, but it settles in more easily when planted during dormancy.
- In summer, hold off, because heat and dry soil put heavy stress on new roots.
- From October through December, plant shade and ornamental trees, whether container-grown or balled and burlapped, so the roots grow in soil that still holds some warmth.
Frost timing varies enormously across the state. The low southern desert valleys freeze late in the year and thaw early, while high northern valleys and mountain towns see frost much sooner in fall and well into spring. USDA hardiness zones run from 4a to 10a, so your county extension office can tell you what suits your elevation.
Nevada — the year and the numbers
- State
- Nevada
- USDA zones
- 4a-10a
- Last spring frost
- January 7 to February 1
- First fall frost
- December 8 to December 23
- Annual rain
- 4 in
- Lawn zone
- warm-season
- Source
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, 32F freeze probabilities · Las Vegas
When to Plant Fruit Trees in Nevada
Plant fruit trees in February and March. Late winter into early spring is when bare-root trees are sold, and the sign to watch for is workable soil while the tree is still asleep.
Bare-root trees have no soil protecting their roots, so they cannot wait around. Get them in the ground soon after you buy them, before the buds swell.
| Kind of fruit tree | When to plant in Nevada | Why then |
|---|---|---|
| Bare-root | February to March | Sold in late winter and early spring, and must be planted within a week of purchase |
| Container-grown | February to March | Settles best when planted while dormant, though it can go in most of the year with regular watering |
Winter cold matters for fruit trees too. In Nevada, apricots and peaches need fewer chill hours, less than 400 to 500, while apples and pears need 700 to 800. Choose varieties to match the winters where you live.
Best Trees to Plant in Nevada
Where summers are hot, soil is dry and water is limited, desert-adapted trees do well. In the hot southern valleys, that points to species used to low rainfall and strong sun.
Evergreens give year-round shade and a windbreak, while deciduous trees let winter sun through. Colder northern and high-elevation yards call for different choices, so match the tree to your zone, your sun and your space.
| Tree | How it does in Nevada | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mesquite | Suits hot, dry desert yards | Deciduous shade tree with moderate to low water needs |
| Palo verde | Suits hot, dry desert yards | Deciduous shade tree with moderate to low water needs |
| Sweet acacia | Suits hot, dry desert yards | Deciduous shade tree adapted to desert conditions |
| Afghan pine | Works for windbreaks and year-round shade | Evergreen that comes in various sizes and shapes |
| Desert cypress | Works for windbreaks and year-round shade | Evergreen that comes in various sizes and shapes |
Live oak is another evergreen choice for shade. Fruit trees selected for drought tolerance have also been grown in Nevada with soil amendment, proper irrigation, seasonal pruning and fertilization.
When to Plant, Water and Prune Trees in Nevada
Planting, watering and pruning each have their own moment in the year. Planting follows dormancy, watering follows the weather, and pruning follows the buds.
Water a young tree regularly while the soil is not frozen, since new roots have little reach. Prune fruit trees in late winter, never in fall or early winter, because new growth may not harden before the cold.
| Task | Best timing in Nevada | Why then |
|---|---|---|
| Plant shade and ornamental trees | October to December | Roots settle in before the heat of summer |
| Plant fruit trees | February to March | Bare-root trees are on sale and still dormant |
| Water a young tree | Regularly, as long as the soil is not frozen | New roots dry out fast, especially in summer heat |
| Prune fruit trees | January to February, before growth starts | Cuts heal in mild weather before the buds swell |
Order matters within pruning. Apples go first, and peaches go last, closest to bloom, because their flower buds are easily hurt by cold. The page When to Prune Fruit Trees in Nevada goes into this in more detail.
Where to Get Tree Advice in Nevada
Nevada spans desert valleys and mountain towns, so local advice pays off. The state extension service and your county office can help with choosing a species or testing soil.
- University of Nevada, Reno Extension publishes planting and fruit tree guides, which are worth reading before you shop for a tree.
- Your county extension office can advise on which species suit your elevation and can point you to a soil test, ideally before planting season starts.
- When fall comes, or when February brings bare-root stock to the stores, dig the hole and get the tree in the ground.
Common Questions
Do You Need to Remove Burlap from a Balled-and-Burlapped Tree?
Yes. Set the tree in the hole, then cut away any wire basket and pull the burlap back from the top of the ball, so roots can grow outward freely.
Why Do Apricots and Plums Sometimes Bloom Too Early in Nevada?
Low-chill trees such as apricot, plum and peach can bloom during a warm spell in winter, because they have already collected the chilling hours they need. A frost afterward can then damage the flowers.
Do You Need to Water a Tree Planted in Winter?
Yes, though less often than in summer. Check the soil around the roots regularly, and water whenever it dries out and the ground is not frozen.