Like Earth Day, Arbor Day arrives in April. But while both are symbolic reminders of our responsibility to the planet, the best time to plant a tree isn’t spring at all—it’s fall. Cooler weather and seasonal rains give young roots a chance to establish without the stress of summer heat. That small shift in timing can mean the difference between a tree thriving for decades or dying before it ever gets started.

Earth911 honored Earth Day’s 52 years of inspiring action with 52 weekly actions for the Earth. Each week, we are sharing one action you can take to save resources, reduce waste, and make your own life more sustainable. This week, you can invest in the earth by planning a tree. That’s not a typo – before you plant a tree, you need to make a plan.

Action: Plan a Tree

Benefits of Tree Planting

Trees are awesome in so many ways. They provide immeasurable ecosystem services like improved physical and mental health as well as aesthetic pleasure (trees are the view) that can translate into improved property values. Trees help filter stormwater and remove pollutants from soil. They also provide shade on a hot day and create more comfortable microclimates to combat the urban heat island effect. Planting trees is carbon sequestration you can do yourself, and even though urban and suburban tree planting alone will never solve the climate crisis, the urban forest does make a difference, especially to local air quality. But the benefits of tree planting only accrue if the tree survives.

When they thrive, trees are unmatched allies in building healthier, more resilient communities. Urban forests in the United States store an estimated 700 million metric tonnes of carbon and continue to remove 22.8 million tonnes annually. But their impact extends far beyond carbon.

Trees save lives. By shading neighborhoods and lowering ambient temperatures, urban tree cover helps prevent roughly 1,200 heat-related deaths in the U.S. every year. In Los Angeles, researchers found that expanding canopy coverage, paired with reflective surfaces, could cut heat-related emergency room visits by as much as 66%.

They save money. Mature trees placed strategically around buildings can slash heating and cooling costs by up to 47%. In Tucson, Arizona, tree-based stormwater management saved the city $600,000 in treatment costs over 40 years. A recent study in Kochi, India found that just 339 park trees removed 124.8 kilograms of pollutants each year, cut cooling energy use by 13,400 kWh, the Times of India reported.

Before You Plant

The benefits of trees are well-documented, but only if they live long enough to grow tall and strong. A study in Boston revealed mortality rates of newly planted street trees that varied from 3% to more than 38%. The main determinant of a newly planted tree’s survival was the tree planting contractor, which indicates the importance of proper planting technique for transplant success. So this week, spend some time planning ahead for your fall tree-planting. Other urban studies show even grimmer numbers: nearly one-third of street trees in Oakland and Berkeley were gone within just two years, with average annual mortality close to 19%, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Large-scale reforestation efforts across Asia have seen mortality rates approach 50%, Earth.com reports, underscoring how fragile new plantings are without forethought and care. In short: rushing to put a tree in the ground without a plan often wastes both money and effort.

First, pick a spot for your new tree and study its conditions. Learn what species thrive in your climate and how fast and big they grow so that you can choose the right tree. Native species are great for pollinators and birds, and they are naturally adapted to your climate. But if you are planting a street tree; if the soil at your site is degraded or has been heavily altered; or if your tree will be planted in a container, a nativar or horticultural variety may be more appropriate. Many communities provide lists of suggested tree species for street plantings. Some communities require you to choose from this list.

Once you’ve chosen the best species, look for a respectable retailer that sells quality plants. Especially if you have chosen a native tree or an heirloom variety, you might have to order your tree from a catalog and wait for shipping. Plan ahead so your tree will arrive after the weather cools but before your location’s average first frost date. Check your schedule to set aside enough time to do the job properly at the right time. While you’re waiting for your planned planting day, learn proper planting technique – dig the hole wide instead of deep, don’t mix the soil with compost or put gravel at the bottom of the hole, and learn when it makes sense to prune the roots.

Planning for your tree will improve the survival odds for the tree you plant.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally on August 19, 2022, and updated in August 2025.