Why Fall Is the Ideal Season for Planting Trees in Southern Nevada with Brenna Glimp

As the intense summer heat fades and the desert air turns crisp, fall ushers in one of the most rewarding seasons for gardeners across the Mojave. According to Mojave Bloom’s Manager, Brenna Glimp, fall planting isn’t just about cooler weather. It’s about giving your plants the strongest possible start.

“I love that we have a second good-weather growing season,” Brenna says. “For deciduous plants, you’re preparing them to go to sleep, but you still get to enjoy nice fall veggie and herb garden before winter.”

Why Fall is Prime Time for Tree Planting

In our part of the Mojave Desert (Zone 9a & 9b), fall offers the perfect balance of mild temperatures and soil warmth. During this period, newly planted trees shift their energy underground, focusing on developing a strong root system before dormancy.

Once winter arrives, the tree’s above-ground growth slows dramatically, allowing those roots to continue expanding in the still-warm soil. By spring, the tree can wake up ready to focus on foliage and flowering, rather than struggling to balance transplant stress and both root and leaf growth at once.

“Planting in fall lets trees get established without the additional stress of summer heat,” Brenna explains. “If you find yourself planting in spring, trees focus energy in many directions, trying to grow leaves or bloom while also trying to adjust to our sometimes rapid temperature swings.”

The Science Behind Root Growth

Root growth in woody plants continues as long as soil temperatures stay above about 40°F (4°C), which in parts of the Mojave, can last all winter. Cooler air and lower evaporation rates also mean trees lose less moisture, reducing transplant shock and water stress.

In short: fall planting = less stress + more roots.

Brenna’s Favorite Fall Tree to Plant (and Why)

“If I had to pick one, I’d say redbud,” Brenna says with a smile. “There’s this beautiful anticipation. You wait all winter, and then suddenly they all start blooming at once in spring right around St. Patrick’s Day. The pink-purple flowers are amazing. I love seeing them paint the washes with pink flowers at Red Rock.”

Redbuds (Cercis occidentalis, the Western Redbud) are a top choice for desert gardeners. Native to the American Southwest, they can tolerate some drought once established, provide early-season nectar for pollinators, and add a stunning pop of color against desert landscapes. Mojave Bloom is a trusted retailer, and always tries to keep them and other heat tolerant Cercis species in stock.  

Choosing the Right Tree for the Desert

Catclaw Acacia, Desert Willow, Desert Olive

Some of her top foolproof choices:

• Catclaw Acacia (Senegalia greggii) – “Tough as nails,” Brenna says. This thorny native is often found popping up on its own in empty lots and provides excellent habitat and requires no supplemental water once established.

• Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis) – Long-blooming and pollinator-friendly with orchid-like flowers.

• Desert Olive (Forestiera neomexicana) – Hardy, low-water, year-round interest with precocious blooming in the early spring, lush foliage during the growing season and beautiful structured form with ivory bark in the winter months.

• Wilson Olive (Olea europaea ‘Wilsonii’) – Non-fruiting and heat-tolerant, perfect for deep shade and adding structure to any landscape.

• Southwestern Oaks (Quercus spp.) – Especially Quercus turbinella, the Desert Scrub Oak, which can handle heat and poor soils.

These choices not only survive but support local ecosystems, providing food and shelter for desert wildlife.

“When you plant a tree in the desert,” Brenna says, “you’re ensuring future vegetation and growth for the entire valley. Even if you don’t plan to live here forever, you’re leaving something beautiful behind.”

Tips for Successful Fall Tree Planting

Brenna’s checklist for a healthy start:

1. Buy from a reputable source (like Mojave Bloom Nursery!) to ensure healthy, high-quality trees.

2. Inspect the roots. Avoid trees with girdled or damaged roots.

3. Check spacing and sunlight to match the mature height and width of your tree.

4. Test drainage by filling your planting hole with water; it should drain within a few hours.

5. Use mulch wisely. Apply a natural mulch that mirrors the circumference of the tree’s canopy, but keep it a few inches away from the trunk. Organic wood mulch encourages healthy soil biota, supplies nutrients to deficient soil, moderates soil temperature, prevents weeds, and reduces water loss.

6. Plan on installing irrigation and under plantings of companion plants early on. Ideally, this would happen during or just after planting so you don’t have to disturb roots later.

Watering and Care Through Winter

Even though winter watering needs decrease, it’s important not to forget your trees entirely. Water deeply but infrequently, depending on the species. Every 3–4 weeks for drought-tolerant regionally adapted trees and native trees, and more often for moderate water users.

“Try not to overwater,” Brenna advises. “Care in winter is mostly leaving them alone unless you need to prune, and that is best to do while they’re dormant.”

Soil Prep, Amendments, and Mulching

Healthy soil equals healthy trees. Brenna recommends:

• Testing your soil for drainage and nutrient levels.

• Using amendments only if needed. Different trees (fruit, citrus, native) have different requirements.

• Adding rooting hormone at planting time to encourage strong early root growth.

Creating a shallow berm just outside the tree’s outer portion of the root ball helps capture rainfall and irrigation water, which will naturally flatten over time as the tree establishes.

For First-Time Planters

“Don’t overthink it,” Brenna laughs. “What’s the worst that can happen? If you have a good spot for a tree, use it! Worst case, you learn something new. Best case, you gain shade, flowers, and beauty for years to come.”

Fall planting in the Mojave isn’t just convenient. It’s scientifically sound. The cooler months set the stage for strong root systems, healthy spring growth, and resilient desert landscapes.

Whether you’re planting a single redbud or a small grove of native trees, you’re investing in the future beauty and sustainability of our desert home.

Brenna Glimp is the store manager of Mojave Bloom Nursery. She brings a deep passion for native landscapes and has a special love for ferns and trees. In her free time, Brenna travels the world with her husband, Steve, a master arborist, exploring unique gardens and nurseries wherever they go.