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Can a new tree be planted now or is it a little too late in the season? (Zone 7) The guy came back and got the big root out and he said we could plant a tree right now, in the hole if we wanted to. Should we go to a Nursery and find a nice small tree to plant now or wait till the spring? I am interested in a small, deciduous tree. (something like a Korean Maple) I know the fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs but I don't know if it's too late in the season since it's closer to winter now. Should I amend the soil with leaves and wait till spring? Thanks!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Wavy,

Since you are nice & moist right now, I'd plant now. I would also use those leaves to mulch it really well, but NOT up against the trunk. Leave at least a 3" space around the trunk to discourage pests & mold/mildew type diseases.
But get down in that hole & dig around to make sure the roots on a new tree will have space to spread...no old root pieces in the way.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ga.karen,

Another thought...tree selection at nurseries might be better in the spring. So go look & see what you find.

IF you can find the selection you want, now is a good time to plant since the tree will concentrate on putting down its roots; it doesn't need to produce leaves. Don't enrich the soil too much, you want the tree to grow in the soil that will be its new home--if you make it too nice it wont want to leave.

A nice small tree that can be admired for its blooming is Chinese Silk Lilac but they're hard to find. If you decide to wait until spring you might ask the nursery to set one aside for you.
These trees are fast becoming common on boulevards along city streets.

Don't know if you are supposed to plant a new tree in an old tree's hole. I would ask the nursery about that.

We are zone 5, and it is still tree planting weather. Do check with your local nursery for the variety and size to plant in your existing space.

If the root ball is not right against an unground stump, you are probably ok, especially if the tree is smaller. Might be advisable to mound the area some around the tree hole, (in other words plant it a bit higher with extra soil around it). As the old tree roots decay, it may tend to sink/settle down some.

Daily watering is good, if the weather remains dry. If you are already soaked, then taper off to a couple of times a week? The nursery is best for this advice too. And of course stake the tree for support. Even a small tree can shift and lean till the roots take hold.

The best time to plant trees is when they are dormant and about now is the best time since the roots can spend the winter getting established instead of also trying to provide nutrients to the leaves which happens with spring planted trees. Nurseries up here plant trees well into December and have found those trees have a much better survival rate then do spring planted trees.
http://www.clemson.edu/extensi.../trees/hgic1001.html

we're in se mi and the new business down the road has planted 3 ornamentals...mulched well and will have some protection from a new (gag) dollar store!