As the dogwoods begin to bloom and the cherry blossoms open, you might start to think how great a tree would look in your front yard. But before you start digging in your yard, there are a couple of things you will want to consider. What type of tree are you planting? What size of tree do you need to plant? Is it the right time of the year? Let’s go over these questions so you will be fully prepared and set your tree for a life of success. Are you planting a deciduous or evergreen tree? Evergreen trees seem to be more hardy than deciduous; this is because they do not go into the same type of dormancy. The evergreens have a longer planting window. Deciduous trees go dormant in the winter, you can visibly see as the tree changes. They will usually go dormant as summer comes to an end and fall begins, and this is a great time to plant. The trees will be busy putting their energy into growing more roots, instead of growing new leaves and flowers. The size of the tree you start with can vary depending on your needs. If you are wanting to plant trees for privacy you might want to consider planting larger more mature trees, so they will fill in quicker. Or, if you just have one spot for a specimen tree and have time for it to fill in you could plant a 15-gallon tree, which is easier to handle. In our hardiness zone, 7a, we can successfully plant most of the year. If you are planting in the summer, they will need some extra TLC. The summer heat can cause the tree to stress more, so you will want to keep an eye on the soil moisture levels so the roots don’t dry out. Using a soil moisture meter will help tell you if the soil around the roots is dry or not. Planting in the fall and spring is ideal. The temperatures are not extreme, and the plant is either dormant or just waking up. Also, it is an option to plant in the winter if the ground is not frozen.