Timing matters enormously when planting trees in Oklahoma. Plant at the wrong time of year and you’re fighting Oklahoma’s heat, drought, or freeze before your trees have a chance to establish. Plant at the right time and you give new trees the best possible start — roots establishing before stress season, canopy filling in naturally, and minimal supplemental watering required. Here’s what VistaScapes has learned from years of tree installations across Broken Arrow and Tulsa.
The Best Time to Plant Trees in Oklahoma
Fall Planting — The Best Window (September 15 – November 15)
Fall is the premier planting season in Oklahoma, and it’s consistently underutilized by homeowners who think of spring as “planting season.” Here’s why fall wins:
- Cooler air, warmer soil — air temperatures cool down, reducing stress on the tree, but soil temperatures stay warm enough for active root growth through November
- Longer root establishment window — roots continue growing until soil temps drop below 40°F, giving fall-planted trees 6+ weeks of root growth before dormancy
- Less watering required — fall rains help reduce irrigation demands compared to summer planting
- Head start on spring — fall-planted trees have established root systems before the first spring growth flush, resulting in significantly better canopy development the first year
Early Spring — Second Best (February 15 – April 15)
Early spring planting works well if fall planting isn’t possible. Trees planted in February–April establish before Oklahoma’s summer heat arrives. The window closes fast — once May heat arrives, newly planted trees face serious establishment stress without consistent irrigation.
Summer Planting — Possible, Not Ideal (May – August)
Summer planting is possible in Oklahoma but requires significant irrigation commitment — newly planted trees need water every 1–3 days during their first summer. We plant trees in summer when clients need them for immediate privacy or shade, but we always pair summer planting with a proper irrigation plan. Without reliable water, summer-planted trees will struggle or die.
Winter Planting — For Bare-Root Stock Only (December – February)
Bare-root trees (sold without a soil ball, dormant) can be planted in winter when the ground isn’t frozen. This is how many large caliper trees are installed commercially. For most homeowners buying container or balled-and-burlapped trees, winter is not ideal.
Oklahoma Tree Planting Tips
- Planting depth is critical — plant trees with the root flare at or slightly above grade. Never bury the trunk. More trees die from being planted too deep than from any other cause.
- Dig wide, not deep — dig the planting hole 2–3x the width of the root ball but only as deep. Backfill with native soil, not amended soil, which can create a “bathtub” effect in Oklahoma clay.
- Mulch the root zone — 3–4 inch ring of mulch extending to the drip line, keeping mulch away from the trunk
- Water deeply and infrequently — 10–15 gallons per inch of trunk diameter per week for the first year
- Skip fertilizing the first year — newly planted trees need to establish roots, not push top growth
Planning tree installations for your Broken Arrow or Tulsa property? VistaScapes installs specimen trees, privacy screens, and landscape trees throughout the Tulsa metro. Call (918) 779-1317 or request a consultation — we’ll recommend the right species, right timing, and right planting method for your specific property.
