The pricing of trees for landscaping fluctuates widely throughout the year, driven by horticultural suitability, consumer demand, and nursery inventory needs. Understanding these seasonal shifts allows buyers to time purchases strategically, maximizing savings without compromising the plant’s long-term health. Prices are highest when trees are most visually appealing, but the greatest value comes from purchasing during periods of dormancy or inventory clearance.
The General Seasonal Pricing Cycle
The highest prices for trees generally occur during the spring, typically spanning the months of March through May. This period coincides with the peak of consumer demand as homeowners emerge from winter and are eager to begin landscape projects. Nurseries offer containerized and balled-and-burlapped (B&B) stock that is fully leafed out, providing instant aesthetic appeal. The visible health and active growth justify the premium price retailers charge during this high-traffic window, establishing the baseline cost against which later seasonal discounts are measured.
Bare Root and Dormancy Sales (Late Winter)
The first major opportunity for significant savings occurs in late winter and very early spring, often from January through March, with the sale of bare-root trees. Bare-root stock refers to young trees, usually saplings, that are dug up while completely dormant and shipped without any soil around their roots. This method offers substantial cost savings because the lack of heavy soil drastically reduces the nursery’s labor, shipping weight, and storage expenses.
Handling Bare-Root Stock
When purchasing a bare-root tree, immediate and careful handling is necessary to ensure successful establishment. Upon arrival, the roots should be soaked in water for several hours to rehydrate them. The tree must be planted swiftly into the ground while it is still dormant, or “heeled in” by temporarily burying the roots in moist material if planting must be delayed. Proper planting requires spreading the roots and ensuring the root flare, where the trunk meets the roots, sits slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting during dormancy allows the tree to begin establishing its root system before it expends energy on new leaf growth in the spring.
End-of-Season Inventory Clearance (Late Summer and Fall)
The deepest discounts on larger, established trees occur during the late summer and fall, typically from late August through October. This timing marks the nursery’s push to clear out containerized and B&B stock before the onset of winter weather and the need for expensive winterization. Markdowns of 30% to 50% are common as retailers prioritize moving inventory over maximizing profit margins on individual plants.
Inspecting Clearance Stock
Fall is also an excellent time for planting, as cooler temperatures and reliable rainfall reduce transplant shock. However, buyers must exercise caution when selecting clearance trees to avoid purchasing stressed or unhealthy specimens. Inspecting the tree involves checking the canopy for signs of thinning, premature leaf drop, or discoloration, which can indicate underlying stress or disease. Buyers should also examine the trunk for damage and the soil within the container for potential issues like circling or girdling roots. While a clearance price is attractive, a tree with serious health problems may not survive, negating any initial savings.
Locating Hidden Deals: Retailer-Specific Strategies
Beyond the seasonal timing of nurseries, other avenues offer opportunities for reduced tree purchases throughout the year. Many local conservation districts and state forestry services run annual seedling programs, often in late winter or early spring, providing bundles of small saplings at nominal costs. These programs are usually intended for conservation purposes such as windbreaks or erosion control.
Utility companies and municipal governments frequently offer tree rebate programs designed to encourage planting species that provide energy-saving shade or improve stormwater management. These programs often subsidize the cost of specific, approved species, offering a deep discount regardless of the season. Local independent nurseries sometimes offer loyalty programs or year-round discounts on slow-moving inventory. Big box stores may also offer unscheduled, deep markdowns on trees that have been held too long or are showing minor signs of stress.