I have some trees that have been in 10 gal root pouches for 2 years. I have been moving them around a bit and now have a forever home for them which will be in the ground.

Since the place I'd like to transplant them is where they will be for at least the next bunch of years, should i do it now while there is still some good weather left in New England or wait until the spring.

I plan on wrapping them for the winter.

This is a tricky time of year since we have warm days mixed with chilly days in Connecticut.

If you have a convenient place to store them in the winter that has protection, I would wait until the spring.  I don't see any advantage of planting now, and if you wait until the spring that gives them all next year to establish and prepare for next winter. 

You could do it either way but I generally agree with Rob.  If you do plant them now make sure they are deep enough and that they are protected very well.  My concern would be that the root system won't have much of a chance to do much growing before the cold weather comes and that could make them more sensitive to cold than they would normally be.

I agree with everyone else.  Not much benefit, if any, planting them now.  I'm in zone 7 and did transplants in late May and early June.  Anything earlier is not worth the risk.

I vote with the majority, because they're right.

Perfect. Thanks. I do have a place to store them. I'm not in a hasty position. Thanks for the input all.

Not to high jack but its the same question, different zone. Im going to be in the same position but Im in zone 9A/B. Any objections to planting in Oct/Nov?

I agree for Gabriel in  zone 6a to wait until spring if possible why risk the winter damage. (what if we had another winter like last winter).

Rob, It depends on how big/old the tree is. 
If the tree is a few years old and >1.5" caliper trunk  in zone 9a I would say planting as soon as the soil is prepared will give extra time for the roots to grow and get established.  So in spring the tree is ready to rock.

Thanks Pino, I will plant at least 4 of them soon!

Rob,

This is the ideal time for planting in S. Houston (even smaller trees).  The ground will stay warm enough for the roots to grow and establish themselves over the winter month.  The tops should go to a quiet state (I'm not sure I would call it dormancy) so the roots can do their things.  In the spring, it will be ready to grow without as much delay as if you transplant then.

Nice info James, thanks!

I generally plant in 3rd week of October, but have not frost or freeze issues. Fall planted trees settle in over the winter and are ready to go in the spring.

Places with winter protection issues would do better with spring planting so a plant has a whole season to establish before facing winter issues.

Gabriel Now would be a good time to do any preparations to the soil. Adding compost, lime or manure now will be one less thing to do come Spring and loosening the ground up will make transplanting go a little smoother.

Hi,
Well, I'm in Zone 7 and planted one this last Monday. This was a cutting in March this year.
I don't have a garage to protect them - but even if I had a garage, why get the garage messy during the winter ?
so planting in ground is my best option to protect the roots.
If your final plan is to go in ground why wait ? If rodents or cold are to hit the tree ...
The tree will get the blast this year or the next one, so, let's hope - and for sure protect them efficiently !
I plant most of my trees in big pots with bottom removed to protect against rodents - and so far so good .
Are you planting in your Zone6 or your Zone7 location ?
In Zone7 ... I would just do it now in ground .
My main problem at Spring time is that I often get really rainy weather and thus muddy dirt ... Go plant a tree in those conditions ...