Why Plant in November: The Rootball Advantage

The Benefits of November Planting

November 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, autumn planting offers significant advantages—particularly for rootball establishment.

The Rootball Advantage

When you plant in November, 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: November soil is typically still warm from summer but benefits from autumn 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 November 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 November 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

November 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 November'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.