When to Plant Arborvitae in Michigan

Spring: April through May

Once the ground has thawed and is workable, spring is the most forgiving window there is. The soil is warming, spring rain does part of the watering for you, and the tree gets a full growing season to push roots out into the surrounding soil before it has to face a Michigan winter.

This is also the busiest window. If you want screening in place before summer, it's worth getting on the schedule early — spring bookings tend to fill first.

A spring-planted arborvitae still needs watering through its first summer. Spring rain gets it started; it does not get it established.

Fall: September through mid-October

Fall is just as good as spring, and for some yards better. The soil still holds its summer warmth, so roots keep growing well after the top of the tree has slowed down, while the cooler air means the foliage loses far less moisture than it would in July. The tree spends its energy below ground, which is exactly where you want it.

The one rule that matters: give it time. Aim to plant at least six weeks before the ground freezes hard, which in Oakland and Macomb Counties usually means finishing by mid-to-late October. That leaves enough of a window for roots to knit into the surrounding soil.

Keep watering right up until the ground freezes. This is the step people skip in fall, and it is the single most common reason a fall-planted evergreen struggles.

Summer: June through August

Summer planting works, and we do it regularly — but it is the window with the least margin for error. A newly planted tree has lost part of its root system and cannot yet pull much water from the soil, while summer heat is pulling moisture out of its foliage all day.

Arborvitae are not drought tolerant. Plant in July and watering stops being a chore you should keep up with and becomes the thing the tree's survival depends on. If you're travelling for two weeks in August with no one to water, plant in September instead.

• Water more frequently in the first few weeks, while the roots are still recovering.
• Then hold to about 1 inch (10 gallons) per tree per week, split over 2–3 slow waterings.
• In a long hot dry spell, water more. You can't overwater during that time.

Our arborvitae care guide covers watering, checking soil moisture, mulching and fertilizing in full.

Winter: wait for spring

Once the ground is frozen, planting stops. A root ball can't be settled properly into frozen soil, and the tree has no way to take up water until the ground thaws again.

If you're reading this in December and want screening, the useful move is to plan now and plant in April. Winter is a good time to walk the property line, settle on a variety, and get on the spring schedule before it fills.

Why fall plantings need a winter plan

Arborvitae are evergreen, which means they keep losing moisture through their foliage all winter long — on cold, windy, sunny days most of all. When the ground is frozen, the roots can't replace what the foliage gives up. The result is winter burn: brown, scorched-looking foliage that shows up in late winter or early spring.

A tree planted in September has had time to root out and can usually handle this. One planted in late November has not. Two things stack the odds in your favour:

• Water deeply right up to freeze-up. A well-hydrated tree going into winter is far more resilient than a dry one.
• Mulch 3–4 inches deep out to the drip line, kept about 2 inches off the trunk. It insulates a shallow root system through the freeze-thaw cycles.

Some winter browning on a young evergreen is common in Michigan and often grows out. Send us a photo if you're unsure — we would much rather look at it early.

When is the best time to plant arborvitae in Michigan?

Spring (April–May) and early fall (September to mid-October) are ideal. Cooler temperatures and reliable moisture help the roots establish before summer heat or winter cold arrives.

Can you plant arborvitae in summer in Michigan?

Yes, with committed watering. A summer-planted arborvitae needs about 10 gallons per tree per week, and more during long dry spells. If nobody can water it consistently, wait for September.

How late in the fall can you plant arborvitae?

Aim to finish at least six weeks before the ground freezes hard — in Oakland and Macomb Counties that generally means mid-to-late October. Keep watering until the ground actually freezes.

Is spring or fall better for planting arborvitae?

Both work well. Spring gives a full growing season to establish before winter; fall offers warm soil with cool air, so the tree puts its energy into roots rather than foliage. Fall plantings need more attention to watering going into winter.