Select the right time of year for planting the tree. If you plant your tree at the wrong time of year it's going to be less likely to survive and grow. Do not plant in late spring or summer because the heat will stress the plant and may cause it to die. Of course, all this depends on the type of plant, because different plants have different needs.
In general, April and May are the best times to plant in the Northern hemisphere, because the tree has all summer to grow and get accustomed to its new abode. Otherwise, September and October are your best bet. It tends to be cooler and rainier and the trees are getting ready for hibernation.
Certain trees don't do well if planted in the fall, like oaks (nut trees) and birches. Container trees tend to do better if planted in the fall than trees in burlap or trees that are baled, because these tend to go into transplanting shock in the fall.