In this Palo Alto article, George Reno from Davey's Menlo Park office says fall is the ideal time to plant trees because cooler temperatures, warm soil and seasonal rains help roots establish before summer.

Posted: September 24, 2026

Fall is one of the best times of the year on the Midpeninsula to add a tree, shrub or other permanent planting. 

Cooler temperatures and moister soil ease transplant stress and give roots time to develop before the region’s long, dry summer arrives. The more time a tree has to settle in before facing extreme weather, the better positioned it is to grow.

Late fall to early winter tends to be the sweet spot, when the soil is still warm and seasonal rains help new plants establish before summer’s heat and dryness return.

A young tree with a trunk cage planted in a pile of mulch.To continue reading George's advice, click here. 

For more information, contact the Menlo Park office. 

More form George Reno: 

The Davey Tree Expert Company provides research-driven tree services, grounds maintenance and environmental and utility infrastructure consulting for residential, utility, commercial and environmental partners in the U.S. and Canada. Established in 1880 and headquartered in Kent, Ohio, Davey has over 12,000 employees who create and deliver sustainable solutions. Davey continues to grow through expertise with the SEED Campus, its newest commitment to training, research and safety. Become part of the Davey legacy by applying today and join one of the top ten largest employee-owned companies in the U.S.

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