Why Plant in December: The Rootball Advantage
The Benefits of December Planting
December is one of the best months to plant hedging and ornamental trees in the UK. While it may seem counterintuitive to plant as winter approaches, winter planting offers significant advantages—particularly for rootball establishment.
The Rootball Advantage
When you plant in December, your trees and hedges can focus their energy on what matters most: developing a strong, healthy root system. Here's why:
- Dormant top growth: As temperatures drop and daylight hours shorten, plants naturally slow their above-ground growth. This means all their energy goes into establishing roots rather than producing leaves and shoots.
- Optimal soil conditions: December soil benefits from winter rainfall. This combination provides ideal conditions for root development without the stress of summer heat.
- Reduced transplant shock: Cooler temperatures and higher humidity mean less water stress on newly planted rootballs, giving them time to settle in without the demands of supporting active foliage.
- Extended establishment period: Plants installed in December have the entire winter to develop their root systems. By spring, they're ready to burst into growth with an established rootball that can support vigorous top growth.
Better Spring Performance
Trees and hedges planted in December consistently outperform spring-planted specimens in their first growing season. The established rootball can immediately access water and nutrients when growth resumes, leading to:
- Faster growth rates in the first year
- Better drought tolerance during dry spring and summer periods
- Reduced need for supplementary watering
- Stronger, more resilient plants overall
Practical Considerations
December planting works best when soil conditions are workable—not waterlogged or frozen. The key is to:
- Plant while soil is moist but not saturated
- Ensure good soil-to-rootball contact to eliminate air pockets
- Apply a mulch layer to insulate roots and retain moisture
- Stake tall specimens to prevent wind rock that can damage developing roots
By taking advantage of December's natural growing conditions, you're giving your hedging and trees the best possible start—with a robust rootball that will support years of healthy growth.