Tree & Shrub Planting in Farmington, CT

David's Landscaping provides professional tree and shrub planting in Farmington, CT and the surrounding towns of Avon, West Hartford, Simsbury, Southington, Collinsville, Burlington and more. We plant everything from a single specimen tree to full foundation beds, perennial gardens and arborvitae privacy screens, and no job is too big or too small. We source healthy plants from local Connecticut nurseries and plant every one of them the right way: at the correct depth, with the burlap and twine removed, and mulched properly. We're a family-owned, licensed and insured company (CT HIC# 0670708) with more than 15 years of experience.

Call 203-908-1987  |  Get a Free Planting Quote

• Trees, shrubs, evergreens, perennials and annuals: every size of planting job
• Plants sourced from local CT nurseries, so you don't have to shop
• Planted to professional standards: proper depth, twine and burlap removed, no mulch volcanoes
• Written watering schedule with every planting
• Warranty on our replacement labor, plus the nursery's warranty on the plant
• Licensed & insured, family owned and operated

Planting Services We Offer

Whether you need one tree planted or a whole new landscape installed, we handle it from start to finish:

• Tree planting: shade trees, flowering ornamental trees and evergreens.
• Shrub installation: foundation plantings, hedges, flowering shrubs and broadleaf evergreens like rhododendron, holly and mountain laurel.
• Privacy screens: arborvitae and evergreen screens along property lines, patios and pools.
• Perennial and flower bed planting: new garden beds, bed refreshes and pollinator gardens.
• Annuals and seasonal color: bright, seasonal flowers for beds and entryways.
• Transplanting: moving your existing shrubs and small trees to a better spot.
• Old shrub removal: removing dead or overgrown foundation shrubs before new plants go in.
• Planting plans and bed design: a professional plan for your property, available as a paid service (see choosing the right plants).

How We Plant Trees & Shrubs the Right Way

Planting is where many landscapers cut corners, and the damage often doesn't show up for one to three years, after the crew is long gone. Here's exactly how we plant every tree and shrub:

1. Match the plant to the site. We check sun, soil, drainage, space and deer pressure before anything goes in the ground.
2. Call Before You Dig. We contact Connecticut's Call Before You Dig to have underground utilities marked, as state law requires.
3. Dig wide and shallow. The hole is two to three times as wide as the root ball, but no deeper than the root ball itself.
4. Find the root flare. We locate the flare, where the trunk widens into the roots, and set it at or slightly above finished grade.
5. Remove twine, synthetic burlap and wire basket tops. Anything that won't break down gets cut away so it can't girdle the trunk or roots later.
6. Backfill with native soil. We backfill with the soil we dug out, lightly amended, and mix in Holly-tone or Plant-tone fertilizer.
7. Water deeply and build a watering saucer. A low berm around the planting hole holds water right where the roots need it.
8. Mulch 2–3 inches, pulled back from the trunk. Never piled against the bark.
9. Leave you a watering schedule. Every customer gets written aftercare instructions for their plants.

3 Planting Mistakes We Never Make

When a newly planted tree or shrub declines a year or two after planting, it's usually one of these three mistakes:

Mistake 1: Leaving the burlap and twine on

Nylon twine doesn't rot. As the trunk thickens, the twine cuts into the bark and strangles the plant's vascular system over several years. Synthetic burlap and wire baskets do the same thing to the roots. We remove them from the top of every root ball.

Mistake 2: Planting too deep

Plant a tree or shrub too deep and its roots sit in soil with too little air, and they slowly suffocate. Burying the root flare also keeps the bark wet, which invites rot and disease. We set every root flare at or just above grade.

Mistake 3: The mulch volcano

Mulch piled high against a trunk holds moisture against bark that's meant to stay dry, and the bark rots. It also invites rodents and insects. We spread mulch 2–3 inches deep and pull it back from the trunk.

When to Plant Trees & Shrubs in Connecticut

The best times for tree and shrub planting in Connecticut are spring (mid-April to early June) and fall (September to mid-October). Cool, moist weather lets roots settle in before summer heat or the winter freeze.

Choosing the Right Plants: Sun, Shade, Soil & Deer

The best planting job in the world won't save the wrong plant in the wrong spot. Before we plant, we look at how much sun the area gets, how well the soil drains, how big the plant will get, and how much deer pressure your property has. Deer pressure is a big factor in Farmington, Avon, Simsbury and Burlington.

Deer-resistant shrubs and perennials for Connecticut

No plant is completely deer-proof, but deer usually leave these alone: boxwood, spirea, juniper, pieris, Russian sage, catmint, lavender, ferns and ornamental grasses. Deer favorites to avoid where deer roam include hostas, yews, Emerald Green arborvitae, azaleas and rhododendrons.

Native plants for Connecticut landscapes

Native plants are adapted to our soil and climate and support local pollinators and birds. Great native choices include mountain laurel (Connecticut's state flower), winterberry holly, inkberry holly, summersweet (clethra), serviceberry, ninebark and red twig dogwood.

Planting plans and bed design

Want a professional plan for your property? We offer planting plans and bed design as a paid service. We'll lay out which plants go where, based on sun, soil, mature size, bloom time and deer pressure, so your beds look good in every season. See our landscape design page for more.

Arborvitae & Evergreen Privacy Screen Planting

An evergreen privacy screen is one of the most popular planting projects in the Farmington Valley. Choosing the right plant and the right spacing makes the difference between a solid green wall and a gappy, deer-chewed row.

• Green Giant arborvitae: fast-growing (up to about 3 feet a year once established), wide, and resistant to deer. Typically planted about 5–6 feet apart.
• Emerald Green arborvitae: narrow and tidy for tight spaces, but slow-growing and a deer favorite. Typically planted about 3 feet apart.
• Other options: spruce, white pine, holly and mixed evergreen screens for a more natural look.

We'll recommend the right plant and spacing for your space, your sun and your deer pressure.

Perennial & Flower Bed Planting

We design and plant new perennial beds, refresh tired foundation beds, and add seasonal color with annuals. Good bed planting starts with good soil: we prep the bed, space plants for their mature size (not just how they look on day one), and finish with a clean edge and fresh mulch. Perennials planted in spring or early fall establish fastest, and we choose a mix of bloom times so your beds have color from spring through fall.

Watering & Aftercare for New Plants

The first season after planting is the most important. Roots haven't spread into the surrounding soil yet, so your new plants depend on you for water. After we plant and water everything thoroughly, watering is your responsibility, and we'll leave you a written watering schedule for your specific plants.

• Water deeply, not often and shallow. A slow, deep soak reaches the whole root ball.
• Check before you water. Push a finger 2 inches into the soil. If it's dry, water. If it's damp, wait.
• Don't drown them. Overwatering suffocates roots just like planting too deep does.
• Keep watering through fall. Evergreens especially need moisture going into winter.
• Watch for pests and disease. If you see insects, spots or damage, treat it quickly so it doesn't kill the plant.
• Feed twice a year. We recommend Holly-tone for acid-loving plants (rhododendron, azalea, holly, mountain laurel, hydrangea, dogwood, pine, spruce, hemlock) and Plant-tone for most other trees, shrubs and perennials (including arborvitae and boxwood).

Our Planting Warranty

We stand behind our work. Here's how the warranty on new plantings works:

• The plant: the nursery we purchase from provides its own warranty on the plant itself. Terms vary by nursery, and we'll tell you what applies to your plants.
• The labor: we warranty the labor required to remove and replace a failed tree, shrub or plant.
• Your part: the warranty depends on following the aftercare watering plan we provide.

How Much Does Tree & Shrub Planting Cost?

Every planting project is quoted individually, because the price depends on the plants and the site. These are the main factors that affect the cost of planting shrubs and trees:

• Plant size: a 1-gallon perennial, a 7-gallon shrub and a 10-foot balled-and-burlapped tree are very different jobs.
• Plant type and quantity: specimen trees and large evergreens cost more than common shrubs, and larger orders change the per-plant price.
• Site conditions: rocky or ledgy soil, heavy clay, slopes, tight access or roots from existing trees all add labor.
• Removal of old plants: taking out overgrown shrubs or stumps before planting.
• Soil prep and mulch: new beds, soil amendments and mulch coverage.
• Design: a professional planting plan is a separate, paid service.

Get your free planting quote →

Towns Where We Plant

David's Landscaping is based in Farmington, CT, and we plant trees, shrubs and flower beds throughout these Hartford County towns and nearby communities:

• Tree and shrub planting in Farmington, CT, including Unionville and neighborhoods along the Farmington River, our home base
• Planting in Avon, CT, from the Route 44 corridor to the wooded hillside lots below Talcott Mountain
• Planting in West Hartford, CT, from West Hartford Center and Elmwood to Bishop's Corner
• Planting in Simsbury, CT, including Weatogue and West Simsbury
• Planting in Southington, CT, including Plantsville and Milldale
• Planting in Collinsville, CT and the rest of Canton, CT
• Planting in Burlington, CT, where deer-resistant plant choices matter most
• Bristol, CT · Plainville, CT · Newington, CT · New Britain, CT · Bloomfield, CT · Hartford, CT · Windsor Locks, CT · Suffield, CT

Why Homeowners Choose David's Landscaping for Planting

• Planted right the first time. Correct depth, twine and burlap removed, no mulch volcanoes, every time.
• Healthy plants from local CT nurseries. Stock grown for our climate, picked by us.
• The right plant for the spot. Matched to your sun, soil and deer pressure.
• Clear aftercare. A written watering schedule for every job.
• Warranty on our labor to replace a failed plant, plus the nursery's plant warranty.
• No job too big or small. From one shrub to a full landscape installation.
• 15+ years of experience, licensed and insured (CT HIC# 0670708).
• One company for your whole property: landscape design, mulching, trimming and pruning, planting bed weed control, lawn mowing, sod, hardscapes and drainage.

How to Get Started

1. Request a free quote. Call 203-908-1987 or fill out our quote form and tell us what you'd like planted.
2. Plan the plants. Already know what you want? We'll quote it. Want a professional layout? Ask about a paid planting plan.
3. We source and plant. We pick up healthy plants from local Connecticut nurseries and plant them the right way.
4. You water. Follow the written watering schedule we leave you, and contact David with any questions.

Tree & Shrub Planting FAQs

When is the best time to plant trees and shrubs in Connecticut?

Spring (mid-April to early June) and fall (September to mid-October). Cool, moist weather helps roots establish before summer heat or the winter freeze. Broadleaf evergreens like rhododendron, holly and mountain laurel do best planted in spring.

Can you plant in the summer?

Yes, but only container-grown plants, and they need about double the watering. Balled-and-burlapped trees and shrubs are best planted in spring or fall.

Is it too late to plant after mid-October?

We don't recommend it. Plants set out after mid-October don't have enough time to grow roots before the ground freezes, and evergreens can dry out over winter.

Do you remove the burlap and twine when planting?

Yes. We remove twine, synthetic burlap and the top of wire baskets from every root ball. Twine doesn't rot. As the trunk grows, it cuts into the bark and can kill the tree years later.

How deep should a tree or shrub be planted?

No deeper than the root ball. The root flare, where the trunk widens at the base, should sit at or slightly above the finished grade. The hole should be two to three times wider than the root ball, but not deeper.

What is a mulch volcano?

A mulch volcano is mulch piled in a cone against a tree trunk. It keeps the bark wet, which leads to rot, insects and disease. Mulch should be 2–3 inches deep and pulled back from the trunk.

Why did my newly planted tree die a year or two later?

The most common causes are planting too deep, twine or burlap left on the root ball, a mulch volcano, or too little or too much water in the first season. These problems often take one to three years to show.

Do you supply the plants?

Yes. We source healthy trees, shrubs and perennials from local Connecticut nurseries, so you don't have to shop or haul anything.

Do you offer landscape design or planting plans?

Yes. Planting plans and bed design are available as a paid service. We'll lay out the right plants for your sun, soil, space and deer pressure.

Do you guarantee the plants you install?

The nursery provides its own warranty on the plant, and terms vary by nursery. We warranty the labor to replace a failed tree, shrub or plant, as long as the watering plan we provide has been followed.

What voids the planting warranty?

Underwatering or overwatering, damage from deer or other animals, storms, drought, extreme cold and other acts of nature, and pests or disease that weren't treated promptly.

How often should I water newly planted trees and shrubs?

A typical schedule is every one to two days for the first two weeks, two to three times a week through about week twelve, then weekly when it doesn't rain until the ground freezes. Always check the soil first. We leave you a written schedule for your specific plants.

What shrubs are deer resistant in Connecticut?

Deer usually avoid boxwood, spirea, juniper, pieris, Russian sage, catmint, lavender, ferns and ornamental grasses. No plant is completely deer-proof, and hostas, yews, Emerald Green arborvitae, azaleas and rhododendrons are deer favorites.

How far apart should arborvitae be planted for a privacy screen?

Green Giant arborvitae are typically planted about 5–6 feet apart and Emerald Green about 3 feet apart. Green Giants grow faster and resist deer better. We'll recommend the right spacing for your space.

How much does it cost to plant shrubs and trees?

Every project is quoted individually. Price depends on plant size and type, quantity, site conditions like rocky soil or slopes, removal of old plants, soil prep and mulch. Contact us for a free quote.

Do you remove old shrubs or transplant existing plants?

Yes. We remove dead or overgrown shrubs before planting, and we can transplant your existing shrubs and small trees to a better spot.

What towns do you provide planting services in?

We plant trees, shrubs and flower beds in Farmington, Unionville, Avon, West Hartford, Simsbury, Southington, Collinsville, Canton, Burlington, Bristol, Plainville, Newington, New Britain, Bloomfield, Hartford, Windsor Locks and Suffield, CT.

Get a Free Tree & Shrub Planting Quote in Farmington, CT

Ready to add trees, shrubs, a privacy screen or new flower beds? David's Landscaping plants healthy, locally sourced plants the right way, throughout Farmington, Avon, West Hartford, Simsbury and the surrounding towns.

Call 203-908-1987  |  Request Your Free Planting Quote

David's Landscaping · Farmington, CT · Licensed & Insured · CT HIC# 0670708