What should I do with my maple tree?

Question

I have a little maple tree that I dug out of the ground to transplant it at a different place in the yard. I've had it in a container to give it some space to grow. My question is this: Since winter is coming up, should I leave it in the container and put it in a sheltered place, or should i go ahead and put it in the ground? I would like to wait til spring to plant it, but I don't want it to get too cold while in the container. What should I do?

Answer 1

If you are north of the Mason/Dixon Line in the USA then plant it now and water it well.  

Water it at least 5" of water a week until frost.

If you leave it in the pot the roots will be exposed to the freezing and thawing of the winter.   Solid freeze to thaw all winter will kill those tender roots.   It has to do with drying out completely in the freeze, then waking up in the thaw, then freezing solid, and drying out again.

  For the sake of your tree, drop it in the ground and water until frost.

Answer 2

I would wait until EARLY September. Then plant it where you want it. Keep it watered well, but don't drown it. Planting it at this time gives it some time for the roots to take hold, because the soil is still warm and the weather is just starting to cool. This will give it a good start before it goes dormant. It will survive the winter. Maples are hardy, unless we are talking about Japanese Maples. Those need more protection from the winter winds.

Transplant shock in trees can last a couple of years in small saplings. Larger trees will take years to get over transplant shock. Don't fertilize your tree for the first year. But make sure you keep it well watered. If you have a warm spell during the winter, a drink of water won't hurt it either, if you don't have much snow.  

Answer 3

Wait till spring so it has a full season to get rooted. If you can bring it in the house with lots of light it will be fine.

Answer 4

plant it now. water it well