Seeing the recent rooting threads, it brought up some questions I have...

I have a bunch of 1 gallon trees that I would like to bare root and up-pot with a completely different potting mix.  I'm in no hurry, and I want to do this when it's best for the trees.  Would late winter be the best time to do this?  I'm thinking just before they break dormancy, I can safely play with the roots without hurting anything.  What do you think?  Assuming I don't break any roots, can these 1 gallon trees be stripped of its soil and repotted without fear?  Thanks

Frank,
I bare root and up pot most purchased plants. Most 1 gallon figs that I've encountered have been growing in the same container for at least 1 season and are usually root bound. I bare root using the water bath method at any time in the growing season, I just let them rest in the shade for a few days. If root pruning is planned the same method can be used, but IMO late winter , early spring (while plant is dormant) yields much better results (plant growth). When growing plants from cuttings, I up pot to 5 gallon buckets before the plants get root bound, usually in 2 -3 months or when the roots reach the sides of the 1 gallon pot.

agree with pete (anyone named pete can't be wrong). i bare root my 1 gal when i think they need to be uppotted. sometimes i run knife through the root ball if they are root bound. leave in shade for 2-3 week and gradually introduce to sun.

Thanks Petes!  :)

I will probably do this late winter, as I'm ok with waiting and so are the plants.  I'm new to bare rooting and I just want to make sure they will wake up after I play rough with them.  Am I ok to assume that while dormant, I can bare root, fondle the roots, then repot without any issues?  Let's also assume I don't break any roots too.