Tree Planting Like a Pro with Alsip Nursery
🌳 April Tree Planting Checklist🌿
Spring has officially sprung, and if you’ve been dreaming about adding beauty, shade, or even a little privacy to your yard, April is the perfect time to plant trees! Here in Zones 5b and 6a, the soil is warming up, the days are getting longer, and your new trees will have months to establish strong roots before the heat of summer rolls in.
Let’s dig in (pun intended!) to your April tree planting checklist—with expert tips and the best products to help you plant like a pro!
💡 Did you know
Planting trees in April not only gives them a head start on root growth—but it also helps sync their internal biological clock with the seasons! Trees planted in early spring begin releasing hormones that trigger leaf-out and root development in perfect alignment with natural light and temperature cycles. This synchronization sets the tone for stronger seasonal performance in their first year—and beyond!
🌱 Why April is the Ideal Month for Planting Trees
April offers the Goldilocks conditions for tree planting—not too hot, not too cold. The ground has thawed, but the heat of summer hasn't arrived yet, so:
Trees can focus on developing roots instead of fending off drought or heat stress.
There's plenty of rain , reducing how often you'll need to water.
Cooler temps mean less transplant shock.
This timing gives your tree a huge head start, especially if you use the right products and techniques (we’ve got you covered!).
😍 Balled and burlapped (B&B) trees can weigh hundreds of pounds—but that hefty root ball protects vital roots and soil microbes, giving the tree a better chance to thrive after transplanting!
🌳 Best Trees to Plant in April (Zones 5b and 6a)
Whether you're looking for shade, blooms, or seasonal color, here are some top picks:
🌸 Flowering Trees
Eastern Redbud – Early spring color with vibrant pink-purple blooms.
Serviceberry – White spring flowers and delicious edible berries.
Crabapple – Fragrant blossoms and ornamental fruit that birds love.
🍁 Shade & Ornamental Trees
Maple (Autumn Blaze, Sugar Maple) – Fast-growing and stunning fall color.
Oak (Bur Oak, Red Oak) – Strong, long-lived, and great for wildlife.
Honeylocust (Sunburst or Skyline) – Light shade and low-maintenance.
🌲 Evergreens
White Pine – Soft needles and a classic shape for year-round interest.
Spruce (Colorado Blue or Norway) – Dense, pyramidal form and great windbreaks.
Arborvitae (Techny or Emerald Green) – Excellent for privacy hedges.
All of these are excellent options available at Alsip Nursery —ask our tree experts for help selecting the perfect variety for your yard!
🧰 Tree Planting Like a Pro: Product Must-Haves
✅ Spear Headed Spade
Forget struggling with tough soil. This hybrid digging tool cuts through clay, roots, and compacted earth with ease—making the job faster and cleaner. It’s your secret weapon for digging that just-right planting hole.
✅ Espoma Organic Bio-Tone Starter Plus Fertilizer
This is our go-to for reducing transplant shock and jump-starting root growth. It’s packed with beneficial microbes and mycorrhizae, which help your new tree absorb nutrients and water more efficiently.
✅ Adoria Compost
Mix this premium compost into your backfill soil for a boost of organic matter. It improves soil texture and adds nutrients—especially important if your yard soil is heavy clay or too sandy.
✅ DeWitt Tree Stake & Water Bag
Support and hydrate your young tree like a pro! The DeWitt staking system keeps your tree upright while it gets established, and the convenient water bag delivers slow, deep irrigation right to the roots.
✅ Scotts NatureScapes Mulch
Top it all off with a 2–3” layer of mulch to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Choose from a variety of colors to match your landscape. Just remember to keep it a few inches away from the trunk!
🌿 Final Tips for Tree Planting Success
Dig a hole 2–3 times wider than the root ball, but no deeper.
Always plant at grade —the top of the root ball should be level with the ground.
Water deeply and regularly, especially for the first few weeks.
Don’t forget to remove any tags or wires that might girdle the trunk later on.
🌞 Let's Get Planting!
April is one of the most rewarding times to get outside and make your yard more beautiful and sustainable. Whether you're planting your very first tree or adding to a well-established landscape, Alsip Nursery has everything you need—from expert advice to top-quality trees and planting products.
Visit us in-store or online to get your April checklist started. Happy planting! 🌳
