Best time to plant a tree?

[Anonymous]

Fall is best but local availability is greater in spring. For fruit trees - you'll get best selections from mail order/specialty growers. They absolutely will send at this time of year and you can indeed plant. I have a project that will be getting 4 fruit trees planted in the next several weeks but we prepared the holes last fall. This is not an area where they soil gets that deep freeze where you cannot dig at all but it is not easy. You do want to plant as early in the season of you are doing spring planted trees otherwise you will miss the flowering. While many varieties do better if you don't let fruit set the first season - you will also get growth set backs if you wait too long. Pears are tough to actually get to harvest - figs are easier but regarding Figs: I know they are all the rage. I would say 1/3 of my clients a couple of years ago mentioned them - even after that winter where so many were lost. There are many varieties that have good cold hardiness (and because its such a trendy plant you can find many of these locally now AND it is satisfying to have your crop but these are huge, ungainly shrubs/trees. I have trained them flat against walls, placed them in tucked away corners but for the most part - unless they are your particular passion - get from the farmers markets or put out a request on your neighborhood listserve in mid-to late summer. I bet you will get many offers for their surplus. Good luck!