Many of these colorful trees are commonly known, but unfortunately many other excellent choices remain virtually undiscovered. Whenever I mention fall color, most people around here think of the North Georgia mountains. But, what you may not know is that you can bring that same color to your landscape. Planting trees is the best way to bring home fall color, and fall is the best time to plant trees. Fall planted trees have all fall, winter and spring to grow the roots they will need to survive through the perils of a Georgia summer.
Timing is important, but of equal importance is soil preparation.
Most of the soils in Clarke County are worn out, compacted, rock hard red clays. That is why, to paraphrase an old gardener's saying, 'it is better to plant a one dollar plant in a five dollar hole than the other way around'. It may seem like Research on establishing trees contradicts this old saying because the research shows that trees really don't benefit when soil amendments are added to the planting hole. However, the old saying stands - only the five dollar hole contains five dollars worth of digging not five dollars worth of soil amendments. A few tips before you get digging.