Spring in Maine starts with the sound of frost leaving the ground, and that thaw is the signal to get a tree in. Shade, ornamental and fruit trees all settle best when planted from April into May, with a short fall window for some shade trees and none at all for fruit trees.
When Is the Best Time to Plant Trees in Maine?
Plant shade and ornamental trees in April and May, once the frost is out of the ground, and treat fall as a shorter backup.
- In April, as soon as the soil can be worked, plant shade and ornamental trees so the roots can grow in cool, moist ground before summer heat arrives.
- Through May, container and balled-and-burlapped trees keep going in well, and planting can run into late May or early June.
- In summer, plant only if you must, because heat and dry soil stress new roots more than at any other time of year.
- In September and October, fall planting works for many shade trees, as long as the tree is in the ground before the end of October.
- After planting in fall, water the tree until the ground freezes, so the roots do not go into winter dry.
Spring is the safer choice for magnolia, dogwood, tuliptree, sweet gum, red maple, birch, hawthorn, poplars, cherries, plums and many oaks. Container trees can go in over much of the year if watered, though they settle best in the dormant season. At Portland, the last spring freeze falls between April 22 and May 1, and the first fall freeze between October 9 and October 21. Inland and northern Maine run later in spring and earlier in fall. Maine spans USDA zones 3b to 6a, so the colder your zone, the more you should lean on spring.
Maine — the year and the numbers
- State
- Maine
- USDA zones
- 3b-6a
- Last spring frost
- April 22 to May 1
- First fall frost
- October 9 to October 21
- Annual rain
- 48 in
- Lawn zone
- cool-season
- Source
- NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 Climate Normals, 32F freeze probabilities · Portland
When to Plant Fruit Trees in Maine
Plant fruit trees in April and early May, as soon as the frost has left the ground. Fall planting is skipped, because New England winters are too cold for a newly planted fruit tree.
Bare-root trees go in while still dormant, before the buds open. Bare-root stock usually costs less than potted trees and establishes well when planted in April or early May.
| Kind of fruit tree | When to plant in Maine | Why then |
|---|---|---|
| Bare-root | April to early May, while dormant | Roots establish before buds open and before summer heat |
| Container-grown | April and May | The thawed soil gives roots a full season to settle before winter |
Pruning a young fruit tree follows its own schedule, covered on the page about when to prune fruit trees in Maine.
Best Trees to Plant in Maine
Trees that handle Maine’s winter cold and want full sun or part shade do best here. Hardiness at the edge of a tree’s range matters, so shelter from wind and ice is part of the choice.
| Tree | How it does in Maine | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern redbud | Grows well, but sits at the edge of its hardiness | Needs well-drained soil, full sun to part shade, and a spot sheltered from drying winds and ice that can break its brittle limbs |
| Paper birch | Adapted to a variety of soils | Survives best in full sunlight |
| Aspen | Adapted to a variety of soils | Survives best in full sunlight |
| Red maple | Adapted to a variety of soils | Does well on sites that once held shade-tolerant softwoods |
| Sugar maple | Handsome, but demanding | Dislikes road salt, compacted soil and heat |
Magnolia, tuliptree, oak and ginkgo are better planted in spring than in fall. Match each tree to the sun and room your yard really offers before you buy.
When to Plant, Water and Prune Trees in Maine
The yard year for trees runs on the thaw. Planting starts when the soil opens up, watering matters most for the youngest trees, and fruit tree pruning belongs to late winter.
| Task | Best timing in Maine | Why then |
|---|---|---|
| Plant shade and ornamental trees | April and May, or September and October | Spring soil is workable and roots grow before heat; fall planting must finish before the end of October |
| Plant fruit trees | April to early May, never in fall | Winters are too cold for a newly planted fruit tree |
| Water a young tree | Regularly through the first growing season, and in fall until the ground freezes | New roots dry out fast in summer, and a dry tree faces winter badly |
| Prune fruit trees | March and April, while dormant, before buds swell | Late winter into early spring least affects winter hardiness and tree health |
Summer pruning in late July or August is possible, but severe cuts then weaken the tree, so most pruning belongs to winter or spring. Skip fall and early winter pruning, since new growth may not harden before the cold. Apples are pruned first, and peaches last, closest to bloom, because their flower buds are easily hurt by cold.
Where to Get Tree Advice in Maine
For a question about which tree suits your site, or what your soil needs, local help is a short call or visit away.
- University of Maine Cooperative Extension offers articles on planting, pruning and fruit trees, useful before you choose a tree.
- Your county extension office can advise on species for your spot and explain how to send in a soil sample.
Common Questions
Can You Plant a Tree in Maine in Winter?
Not while the ground is frozen, since a hole cannot be dug and roots cannot settle. Wait for the thaw, then plant while the tree is still dormant.
Should You Stake a Newly Planted Tree?
Most trees stand fine on their own. Stake only a tree that cannot hold itself upright in wind, and remove the ties once roots have anchored it.
Do Balled-and-Burlapped Trees Need Special Care?
They are heavy and the root ball must stay moist, so set the tree in its hole soon after it arrives. Water it regularly through its first season.