Fall is one of the best times of year to add trees to your Louisiana landscape. As temperatures begin to cool, trees experience less stress from heat while their roots continue to establish in the soil.
In South Louisiana, the ideal planting window generally extends from late fall through winter. LSU AgCenter recommends November through February for many trees, with late fall being especially beneficial because the soil can remain warm enough for root growth while above-ground growth slows down.
Whether you're looking for shade, privacy, flowers, fall color, or a beautiful focal point for your landscape, there are many trees that can thrive in Louisiana when planted in the right location.
Here are some of the best trees to consider planting this fall.
Why Fall Is a Great Time to Plant Trees
One of the biggest advantages of fall planting is that trees can spend the cooler months developing their root systems before dealing with the intense heat of the following summer.
When trees are planted during fall and winter:
Cooler temperatures reduce heat stress.
Roots can continue developing while top growth slows.
Trees have time to become established before summer.
Regular winter rainfall can reduce watering demands.
Newly planted trees generally experience less transplant stress than they would during hot weather.
LSU AgCenter notes that roots of woody plants can continue growing during Louisiana's mild fall and winter conditions, allowing trees planted in fall to become better established before spring and summer growth.
1. Southern Live Oak
The Southern live oak is one of the most recognizable trees in the South and can make an impressive addition to a large Louisiana property.
Live oaks are valued for their broad canopies and ability to provide substantial shade as they mature.
Why Consider a Live Oak?
Excellent shade tree
Long-lived
Well adapted to Louisiana
Provides habitat for wildlife
Creates a dramatic landscape focal point
Evergreen to semi-evergreen appearance in South Louisiana
Because live oaks can eventually become very large, location is extremely important. Give the tree plenty of room to develop rather than planting it too close to a home, driveway, utility lines, or other structures.
2. Southern Magnolia
Southern magnolia is another classic Louisiana landscape tree.
Its large, glossy evergreen leaves and fragrant white flowers make it attractive throughout much of the year. It can be used as a specimen tree, shade tree, or focal point in larger landscapes.
Why Consider a Southern Magnolia?
Evergreen foliage
Large fragrant flowers
Attractive year-round appearance
Well suited to Louisiana's climate
Excellent statement tree
Keep its mature size in mind when choosing a planting location. A tree that looks appropriately sized at the nursery can eventually become a major component of the landscape.
3. Bald Cypress
Bald cypress is Louisiana's state tree and is particularly well suited to the state's climate.
It is a deciduous conifer, meaning it produces needles but drops them during the cooler months. Its foliage develops attractive rusty-orange tones in fall before dropping.
Bald cypress can tolerate wet conditions but is also adaptable to drier sites when properly established.
Why Consider Bald Cypress?
Native to Louisiana
Excellent fall color
Adapted to hot, humid conditions
Works well near water
Provides wildlife habitat
Strong architectural form
Bald cypress can become a large tree, so make sure the planting location provides enough room for mature growth.
4. Southern Sugar Maple
If fall color is a priority, southern sugar maple is worth considering.
Unlike the sugar maple commonly associated with northern states, southern sugar maple is native to the Southeast and is better suited to Louisiana's climate.
LSU AgCenter identifies southern sugar maple as a Louisiana Super Plant and notes its reliable yellow-orange to scarlet fall foliage.
Why Consider Southern Sugar Maple?
Native tree
Beautiful fall foliage
Provides shade
Adaptable to different soil conditions
Attractive branching structure
Moderate to fast growth
This can be a great option for homeowners who want a shade tree with seasonal color.
5. Nuttall Oak
Nuttall oak is another excellent option for homeowners looking for a large shade tree.
It is a deciduous oak that can provide substantial shade as it matures and is one of the oaks recommended by LSU AgCenter for Louisiana landscapes.
Why Consider Nuttall Oak?
Excellent shade tree
Provides wildlife value
Attractive fall color
Well adapted to Louisiana
Long-term landscape investment
Like other large trees, Nuttall oak needs adequate space to reach its mature size.
6. Shumard Oak
Shumard oak is another large deciduous oak that can provide shade and seasonal interest.
Its fall foliage can develop attractive red and orange tones, making it useful for homeowners who want both shade and fall color.
LSU AgCenter lists Shumard oak among the trees recommended for Louisiana landscapes and among the trees that can provide fall color in the region.
Why Consider Shumard Oak?
Large shade tree
Attractive fall foliage
Wildlife benefits
Suitable for larger properties
Strong landscape presence
Before planting, consider the tree's eventual size and make sure there is adequate room for its canopy and root system.
7. Sweetbay Magnolia
Sweetbay magnolia is a particularly interesting option for Louisiana landscapes.
Compared with the larger Southern magnolia, sweetbay magnolia generally has a more refined appearance and can be used where homeowners want an attractive native magnolia without the same visual scale.
The evergreen form has attractive foliage with a silvery underside and produces fragrant creamy-white flowers.
Why Consider Sweetbay Magnolia?
Native to the region
Fragrant flowers
Attractive evergreen foliage
Silvery leaf undersides
Can work as a specimen or multi-trunk tree
8. Red Maple
Red maple is another tree to consider when fall color is important.
Its foliage can develop shades of red, orange, and yellow, providing seasonal interest before winter.
Red maple is included among the native trees LSU AgCenter recommends for fall color in Louisiana.
When selecting a location, consider the mature size of the specific variety you're planting.
9. Crape Myrtle
Crape myrtles are extremely popular throughout Louisiana for good reason.
They offer colorful summer flowers, attractive bark, and seasonal interest. Depending on the variety, they can range from smaller ornamental trees to larger landscape specimens.
Why Consider a Crape Myrtle?
Long flowering season
Multiple size options
Attractive bark
Good summer color
Works in many landscape styles
The key is selecting the right variety for the available space rather than choosing a crape myrtle based only on its appearance at the nursery.
10. Willow Oak
Willow oak is another tree that can provide significant shade and structure to a Louisiana landscape.
LSU AgCenter lists willow oak as a Louisiana Super Plant and describes it as an excellent shade tree with an upright oval growth habit.
Why Consider Willow Oak?
Excellent shade tree
Fast growth compared with many oaks
Attractive narrow leaves
Wildlife benefits
Adapted to a wide range of soil conditions
Because willow oak becomes a large tree, it is best suited to properties with sufficient space.
Choosing the Right Tree for Your Property
The best tree isn't necessarily the one you like most at the nursery. It is the tree that fits the location.
Before planting, consider:
Mature Size
Always research the mature height and width of a tree before planting.
A tree that eventually becomes 50 or 60 feet tall should not be treated like a small ornamental tree.
Sunlight
Consider how much sunlight the planting location receives throughout the day.
Some trees perform best in full sun, while others can tolerate partial shade.
Soil and Drainage
South Louisiana properties can have very different soil and drainage conditions.
Before choosing a tree, consider whether the planting location is:
Frequently wet
Well drained
Compacted
Low lying
Sandy
Heavy clay
Near drainage structures
Matching the tree to the site can make a significant difference in long-term performance.
Utilities and Structures
Look above and below the planting area.
Avoid planting large trees too close to:
Houses
Driveways
Sidewalks
Power lines
Underground utilities
Pools
Drainage systems
Planning for mature growth is much easier than removing a tree that has outgrown its location.
How to Plant a Tree Properly
Choosing the right tree is only part of the process. Proper installation is equally important.
1. Dig a Wide Planting Hole
The planting hole should generally be wider than the root ball while avoiding unnecessary depth. LSU AgCenter recommends digging a hole at least twice the diameter of the root ball and no deeper than the root ball's height.
2. Avoid Planting Too Deep
One of the most common tree-planting mistakes is planting too deeply.
The top of the root ball should be positioned appropriately relative to the surrounding soil so the tree does not end up buried too deeply.
3. Remove or Address Circling Roots
For container-grown trees, inspect the root ball before planting. If roots are tightly circling the outside of the root ball, they may need to be loosened or corrected so they can grow outward into the surrounding soil.
4. Water Thoroughly
Water the tree thoroughly after planting and continue monitoring soil moisture as it establishes.
Even though fall and winter generally bring more favorable conditions, newly planted trees still need adequate moisture, particularly during periods of limited rainfall.
5. Add Mulch
A layer of mulch around the tree can help conserve soil moisture and reduce competition from grass.
Keep mulch away from direct contact with the trunk. LSU AgCenter recommends maintaining a mulched area around newly planted trees while keeping the trunk itself clear.
Don't Forget About Fall Tree Maintenance
Planting isn't the end of the process.
New trees should be monitored throughout the fall and winter for:
Dry soil
Storm damage
Pest problems
Improper growth
Competing grass and weeds
Poor drainage
Broken or damaged branches
The goal is to give the tree time to establish a strong root system before Louisiana's summer heat arrives.
Plan Your Fall Tree Planting Now
Fall is an excellent opportunity to add long-term beauty, shade, privacy, and seasonal interest to your landscape. From Southern live oaks and magnolias to bald cypress, southern sugar maple, and native oaks, South Louisiana offers a wide variety of trees that can thrive when matched to the right location.
The most important part of tree planting is choosing the right tree for the right place. Consider mature size, sunlight, drainage, soil conditions, and nearby structures before making your selection.
At Emerald Landscapes, we provide professional tree planting and landscaping services throughout South Louisiana. From selecting the right plants to installing them properly, our team can help you create a landscape designed to look beautiful for years to come.
Ready to add new trees to your property this fall? Contact Emerald Landscapes to discuss your tree planting and landscape installation needs.
