The Benefits of Planting Trees in Winter

Winter is the best season to plant most trees in Australia. Cool soil, dormant top growth and steady rain drive rapid root development before summer hits. Here is why winter planting works, plus the best trees to plant now.

Deciduous TreesPlanting GuideTree CareWinter Planting

Winter is one of the strongest planting windows in the country. Cool soil temperatures, consistent moisture and dormant tree growth combine to give new plantings the easiest possible start.

Why winter planting works

Three factors make winter the right time. First, deciduous trees are dormant, so they put no energy into top growth and all of it into root development. Second, soil temperatures are cool but not cold, slowing evaporation and keeping moisture consistent. Third, autumn and winter rains do most of the watering for you through the establishment phase.

What thrives planted in winter

Deciduous trees love winter planting — Magnolia x soulangeana, Crepe Myrtles, ornamental pears, Japanese Maples, Liquidambar, Pin Oak, Ginkgo. Roses, deciduous shrubs and bare-root stock are all best planted in winter.

Evergreens also benefit from cool-season planting in mild climates. Magnolias, Lilly Pillies, Ficus hillii and Bay can be planted year-round, with summer planting also a strong option — morning and evening watering for the first two weeks sets them up.

Care across the first winter

Water in deeply at planting. Mulch out to the drip line, kept 50mm clear of the trunk. Stake on exposed sites. Check moisture every two weeks through winter — deep soakings rather than frequent shallow waterings train roots downward.

Final thoughts

Winter planting gives trees the easiest start. Cool soil, consistent moisture, dormant top growth, autumn-winter rainfall. Plant level, water deeply, mulch heavily — the tree wakes up in spring with roots already established.

1. Magnolia x soulangeana (Saucer Magnolia)

Saucer Magnolia is the perfect winter planting choice. Bare branches when planted make root establishment fast, and spring flowers come within months.

Type: Deciduous feature magnolia
Height: 5-8m
Width: 4-6m
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Deciduous, large oval green leaves turning yellow in autumn
Flowers: Pink and white saucer-shaped flowers on bare branches in early spring
Form: Spreading rounded crown
Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Rich well drained slightly acidic soil.
Maintenance: Low. Avoid pruning. Mulch heavily.
Best for: Winter planting, spring feature interest, traditional gardens

Why choose it

Deciduous trees like Magnolia x soulangeana put all their winter energy into root growth. Winter planted trees flower the very next spring.

Perfect pair

Pair as a single feature in front of a Little Gem hedge for layered seasonal interest.

Tips for planting

Plant in June or July. Water in deeply and mulch heavily out to the drip line.

Plant in winter, watch it flower the following spring.

Shop Magnolia x soulangeana

2. Pyrus ussuriensis (Manchurian Pear)

Manchurian Pear is the classic winter planting candidate. Deciduous, hardy, fast to establish in cool soil and ready to blossom in early spring.

Type: Deciduous ornamental pear feature tree
Height: 9-12m
Width: 8-10m
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Deciduous, glossy green leaves turning red, orange and burgundy in autumn
Flowers: Masses of pure white blossom in early spring
Form: Dense symmetrical pyramidal crown
Conditions: Full sun. Drought tolerant once established. Hardy to frost.
Maintenance: Low. Light prune in late winter only if needed.
Best for: Winter planting, autumn colour, feature trees, avenue planting

Why choose it

Winter-planted Manchurian Pear establishes faster than any spring-planted alternative. Cool soil, dormant top growth and steady winter rain do the work.

Perfect pair

Pair as a single feature behind a Little Gem hedge for layered seasonal interest.

Tips for planting

Plant in June through August. Water deeply once at planting, then let winter rain do the work.

One of the easiest deciduous trees to establish in winter.

Shop Pyrus ussuriensis

3. Lagerstroemia indica 'Natchez' (Natchez White Crepe Myrtle)

Natchez Crepe Myrtle is a summer-flowering deciduous beauty that establishes brilliantly when planted in winter. White summer flowers, cinnamon bark, autumn colour.

Type: Deciduous flowering feature tree
Height: 6-8m
Width: 4-5m
Growth rate: Fast
Foliage: Deciduous, green leaves turning orange and red in autumn
Flowers: Masses of pure white summer flowers
Form: Multi-stemmed vase shape with smooth cinnamon bark
Conditions: Full sun. Drought tolerant once established. Heat hardy.
Maintenance: Low. Light prune in winter for shape.
Best for: Summer flowering, feature trees, hot climates, winter planting

Why choose it

Crepe Myrtle planted in winter has months to establish roots before summer flowering begins. Winter planting gives the strongest first flowering.

Perfect pair

Pair as a single feature behind a Westringia low hedge for a clean summer composition.

Tips for planting

Plant in late autumn or winter. Mulch heavily. Avoid heavy pruning.

The summer flowering tree to plant in winter for the best first display.

Shop Lagerstroemia indica 'Natchez'

4. Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple)

Japanese Maple is the gold-standard winter planting candidate. Deciduous, dormant, and primed to flush new growth in spring with a strong root system underneath.

Type: Deciduous feature tree
Height: 4-6m
Width: 3-4m
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Deciduous, palmate leaves emerging burgundy or green and turning brilliant red in autumn
Form: Layered soft branching habit
Conditions: Part shade is ideal in hot climates. Moist well drained soil.
Maintenance: Low. Light shaping in winter only.
Best for: Winter planting, courtyards, sheltered feature positions, autumn colour

Why choose it

Acer palmatum hates being planted in heat. Winter is the ideal window when the tree is dormant and the soil cool.

Perfect pair

Pair as a single feature in front of a Magnolia Teddy Bear hedge for evergreen backing and seasonal contrast.

Tips for planting

Plant in June or July. Mulch heavily to insulate roots. Water deeply once at planting.

The deciduous feature tree that establishes best when planted in winter.

Shop Acer palmatum

5. Olea europaea 'Manzanillo' (Manzanillo Olive)

Manzanillo is the all-round fruiting olive. Evergreen but still happy to establish in cool winter soil with mild frost.

Type: Fruiting feature olive
Height: 6-10m
Width: 4-6m
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Evergreen, silver-grey Mediterranean foliage
Flowers: Cream flowers in spring followed by large plump olives
Form: Rounded spreading with sculptural trunk
Conditions: Full sun. Drought, frost and heat tolerant. Well drained soil.
Maintenance: Low. Prune in late winter to maintain open vase shape.
Best for: Winter planting, Mediterranean gardens, fruiting features

Why choose it

Olives benefit from winter planting in most of Australia. Cool soil triggers strong root growth before the summer heat arrives.

Perfect pair

Pair as a single feature behind a Westringia low hedge for a clean Mediterranean composition.

Tips for planting

Plant in May or June after first rain. Water in deeply, mulch well.

Even Mediterranean evergreens benefit from a winter planting head start.

Shop Olea europaea 'Manzanillo'

Compare at a glance

Cultivar	Height	Width	Form	Foliage	Best if you…
Magnolia x soulangeana Saucer Magnolia	5-8m	4-6m	Spreading rounded crown	Deciduous, large oval green leaves turning yellow in autumn	Winter planting, spring feature interest, traditional gardens
Pyrus ussuriensis Manchurian Pear	9-12m	8-10m	Dense symmetrical pyramidal crown	Deciduous, glossy green leaves turning red, orange and burgundy in autumn	Winter planting, autumn colour, feature trees, avenue planting
Lagerstroemia indica 'Natchez' Natchez White Crepe Myrtle	6-8m	4-5m	Multi-stemmed vase shape with smooth cinnamon bark	Deciduous, green leaves turning orange and red in autumn	Summer flowering, feature trees, hot climates, winter planting
Acer palmatum Japanese Maple	4-6m	3-4m	Layered soft branching habit	Deciduous, palmate leaves emerging burgundy or green and turning brilliant red in autumn	Winter planting, courtyards, sheltered feature positions, autumn colour
Olea europaea 'Manzanillo' Manzanillo Olive	6-10m	4-6m	Rounded spreading with sculptural trunk	Evergreen, silver-grey Mediterranean foliage	Winter planting, Mediterranean gardens, fruiting features

Frequently asked questions

Can I plant evergreens in winter?

Yes, in most parts of Australia. Evergreens still establish roots well in cool moist soil.

Do I need to water in winter?

Water deeply at planting then let rain do the work. Top up if the top 5cm of soil dries out.

When is too late for winter planting?

May through August is ideal. Spring-planted trees are more vulnerable to summer stress.

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Comments

Patricia AllenNovember 17, 2023

We have a birch in a pot about 4m high. Want to plant out but roots have grown out of pot. When should we plant it out? Also interested in your maples. What price is your delivery to Canberra? Thank you. Pat.