Plan now for winter tree planting

It’s too hot to plant anything in July here, and it’s too hot to stay outdoors for more than a short time unless you’re in the shade.

In late June and into July, the sun reaches its zenith or highest angle in the sky in the Northern Hemisphere. The sun’s rays penetrate the atmosphere more directly, intensifying their effect, and the direction of the rays is more northerly. Plants on the north side of structures that are in full shade from late August until early May can receive several hours of sun in late June and July.

Our best planting and transplanting season is during the cooler fall months; bare root planting season or the planting of young trees during full dormancy is during December and January; our second best planting and transplanting season is during our short spring. But the shade patterns that we’re hoping to create for our benefit in mid-summer will be different during the cooler planting seasons. If you’re planning to plant shade trees to provide relief from the brutal summer sun this next year, you’ll want to choose the best spots now in July, not in fall, winter or spring when you’ll be planting the trees and bushes.

Be brave and go out into your garden about 4 p.m., when the heat is most intense. Start your experiment on the south and west-facing sides of buildings and other structures; these are the sides that receive the most sun all year long. Take a long-handled broom or some sort of tall pole with you and stand so that the pole’s shadow falls where shade is needed most, such as by the kitchen window, alongside the heat-reflecting concrete driveway or patio, at the front door. Keep in mind that trees should be planted at least 12 feet away from structures, including fences, so that root systems don’t undermine foundations. The larger the tree will be at maturity, the further away from structures it should be planted.

While you’re standing and sweating in the heat, first check out and measure the space available for the mature tree. Most importantly, are there overhead power lines? If so, you’ll need to plant a short tree. Is your neighbor’s pool on the other side of the fence? If so, you’ll want to consider the litter that might fall from your tree. Evergreen or deciduous? Deciduous trees can allow winter sun and light to enter the building after leaf fall. Want really pretty flowers in spring or fall leaf color? A nice view is a secondary benefit from a shade tree.

The Fresno County Master Gardeners have compiled comprehensive lists of evergreen and deciduous trees best suited for growing in our arid climate, as well as lists of small and ultra small trees suitable for small spaces. The tree lists are free and can be downloaded from the Master Gardener website, www.ucanr.edu/sites/mgfresno (or search Fresno County Master Gardeners). You’ll find the lists on the site under “Landscape Tree Care.”

This story was originally published July 1, 2015 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Plan now for winter tree planting."