Why Fall Is the Best Time to Plant Trees in North Texas

Fall is one of the best times of the year — the air cools (we hope, Texas!), fire pits are lit, college football is in full swing, and hockey returns. It’s also the perfect time to plant trees. Texas Arbor Day, celebrated on the first Friday of November, marks the ideal season for planting shade and ornamental trees across North Texas.

You might be wondering, “Isn’t Arbor Day in April?” Yes — National Arbor Day is held on the last Friday in April. The first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska in 1872, and the idea quickly spread nationwide. But here in Texas, the late-spring heat often reaches the 80s and 90s, which can make tree establishment more difficult.

That’s why Texas declared its own Arbor Day in 2013, moving the celebration to November — when cooler temperatures help trees take root and thrive before the summer heat arrives.

How to Celebrate Texas Arbor Day

Texas Arbor Day is more than just a date on the calendar — it’s an opportunity to plant, learn, and connect as a community. Each year, the official state celebration is hosted in a different city, but you can celebrate anywhere across North Texas.

As Paul Johnson of the Texas A&M Forest Service explains,

“Planting a tree leaves a legacy for future generations while beautifying the spaces where we live, work, and play today.”

Arbor Day is especially meaningful for families and classrooms, helping children, parents, and grandparents come together to plant trees that will be enjoyed for decades.

Ways to Celebrate with Family, Schools, or Your Community

Looking for inspiration? Here are a few ways to celebrate Texas Arbor Day this year:

  • Plant a tree from Fannin Tree Farm — the perfect way to leave a living legacy.

  • Take students on a tree identification hike or plant trees on your school campus. Fannin Tree Farm partners with local scout troops and schools for educational programs.

  • Start a Tree Trail or challenge students to find and research the oldest trees in your community.

  • Host an essay contest on the importance of trees in your city or neighborhood.

  • Plant a memorial or honorary tree — a lasting tribute to someone special.

  • Invite a local arborist for a climbing demo or tree-care talk. Fannin Tree Farm’s experts are happy to visit schools, churches, or community groups.

  • Take a family walk at a nearby park, such as Frisco Commons Park or Warren Sports Complex, and talk about what trees provide to our world.

Join Fannin Tree Farm’s Texas Arbor Day Sale & Celebration

Fannin Tree Farm would love to celebrate Texas Arbor Day with you! Join us for our Texas Arbor Day Sale and Celebration, running October 31 through November 9 — our final sale of the year.

Enjoy fun for the whole family:

  • Halloween kickoff on October 31 with photos, costume contests, and a corn maze.

  • Live broadcasts from The Ticket (Oct. 31) and KSCS & The Wolf (Nov. 7).

  • Food trucks, Arbor Day activity books for kids, and incredible savings on all of our Texas shade trees.

Stop by our farm on Highway 121 near the Dallas North Tollway and find the perfect tree for your home or property.

Explore Trees at Fannin Tree Farm →

Sources: