AusBonsai

I am working thru my deciduous trees early so I dont get caught out & end up having surgey when I really need to be working on my trees. I have a largish zelkova that I acquired last spring & planted in the ground for a season, it has made over 6' of growth in all directions & put a fair amount of wood on in that time too, I would like to dig, cut off all the existing branches, get it into a pot & start the branching this season. Leaf made early in the season has coloured & dropped but those on extension growth after the summer hiatus has not, would be ok to dig now or should I hold off as long as possible (ie do closer to spring)?
Thanks in advance.

Hi Matt, I think its ok to pot trees with a well established fibrous root system a bit early because there is not much pruning involved but trees which require heavy root cutting are best left until much later in the winter.
Craigw

Thanks Craig,
That has been the basis for my winter work over the years, this winter is a little different due to personal circumstance. Given the amount of growth up top I would expect a fairly heavy root system to match so it will be left till last...

Couldn't wait & dug today, it has a great roots pread & lots of fine roots as its only been in the ground 1 season, it has a few heavy chops that will need attention over the coming years but overall I am happy with the lower flaring that has been introduced.