Originally Posted by Dav4

Basically, you can plant out a container grown tree or a b+b'd tree at any time if the soil is workable, meaning "not frozen". What you can't do, if the tree is too far along into its spring growth, is alot of root work. That's better done in early spring, though there are more and more folks doing re-pots on pines in mid summer. Still, a re-pot is different then planting a tree in the ground. For my landscape trees, I usually just roughen the edges of the rootball or make shallow slices into the rootball to cut encircling roots. That's all I would do to these trees right now if they are actively growing. Mulching is a great idea...I use chipped pine bark or hardwood mulch-basically whatever is available. Finally, you will need to water these trees regularly right through the coming summer and fall. Good luck,

Dave