Christmas trees, like other plants, cannot be planted successfully in the field at all times of the year. In general, trees should be planted during the dormant season after the shoots cease growth in the fall and until growth begins in the spring. Soil moisture conditions should be favorable. Planting should not be attempted in frozen or snow-covered ground or when soils are wet and sticky.
In Ohio, spring planting is preferred. Fall planting should be avoided in most instances. Seedlings planted in autumn are subject to frost heaving before roots can become established, a problem most serious on bare soils and in finer textured soils. In addition, tops are more vulnerable to winter drying as needles continue to lose moisture faster than the newly planted root system can take in water.
Preferred dates for spring planting vary in different parts of Ohio and from season to season. In general, planting should be done as early as possible in the spring. In most years, this will be from about March 1 to April 15 in the southern portion of the state and about mid March to late April in the northern part.