Is Now a Good Time to Plant Trees and Shrubs on Long Island? Absolutely – Here's Why
As summer settles in across Suffolk and Nassau Counties, many homeowners begin to wonder if they've missed their opportunity to refresh their landscape with new trees, shrubs, and ornamental plantings. The good news is that if you're considering enhancing your property this season, the answer is yes—now is still an excellent time to plant on Long Island, especially when projects are planned and maintained properly.
While early spring often receives the most attention for planting, late June, July, and even August can be highly successful periods for installing new landscape material. Modern nurseries grow the majority of their inventory in containers, which means trees and shrubs can be planted throughout the growing season. Warm soil temperatures encourage root development, allowing plants to establish themselves before cooler weather arrives. By planting during the summer months, homeowners can enjoy immediate visual improvements while giving their landscapes a head start before fall.
Why Summer Planting Works
The key to successful summer planting is proper watering and care during establishment. Newly installed trees and shrubs benefit from deep watering several times per week, particularly during stretches of hot or dry weather. Adding a layer of mulch around plantings helps retain soil moisture, regulate temperatures, and reduce weed competition. When properly maintained, summer-planted landscapes can perform just as well as those installed in spring.
Summer is also a great time to evaluate your property and identify areas that could benefit from additional shade, privacy screening, or seasonal color. Whether you're looking to frame your home's entrance, soften a foundation planting, or create a backyard retreat, there are many species that thrive when planted this time of year.
Best Planting Seasons on Long Island
While summer offers excellent opportunities, many landscape professionals consider early fall, September through October, to be the ideal planting season on Long Island. Soil temperatures remain warm enough to support root growth while cooler air temperatures reduce stress on newly planted material. Plants installed in the fall often emerge stronger and more established the following spring.
Spring, from April through May, also remains an excellent time for planting, giving trees and shrubs an entire growing season to develop. August can present some challenges due to heat and humidity, but with proper irrigation and monitoring, even late-summer installations can be highly successful.
Great Trees and Shrubs for Long Island Landscapes
Long Island's climate supports a wide variety of beautiful and durable plant material. Some homeowner favorites include:
Trees
Flowering Dogwood
Japanese Maple
Eastern Redbud
Serviceberry
River Birch
Red Maple
Shrubs
Hydrangeas
Boxwoods
Inkberry Holly
Skip Laurel
Viburnum
Rhododendrons
Azaleas
Planning Ahead for a Beautiful Landscape
Whether you're looking to add privacy, improve curb appeal, create shade, or simply refresh tired planting beds, summer is far from too late to invest in your landscape. With thoughtful plant selection, professional installation, and a consistent watering schedule, new trees and shrubs planted today can provide beauty, value, and enjoyment for years to come.
At Top of the Line Landscaping, we help homeowners throughout Suffolk County design and install landscapes that thrive in every season. If you've been considering updating your property, now is a great time to start planning and planting.