Question
I live in the northeast. I have a JM seedling that has been under my big Japanese Maple tree for about 3 years now. It has only grown to about 10 inches with about 15 leaves on it now. I want to keep it and grow it into a full tree.. what do you suggest is the best way to go about this? When and how should I did it up? The best soil to pot it in? SO afraid it will die on me. Any help will be much appreciated.

Answer
Deciduous plants may be moved in the spring as soon as the frost is out of the ground, up until the time when new foliage is partly unfurled. In the fall, they may be planted once the leaves start to turn color up until the ground freezes. The best time will be next spring before the tree leafs out.

When you want to dig up a tree or shrub for transplanting, retain as much of the root system as possible. Deciduous trees that are only 3-4 years old may be moved with their roots bare.

Deciduous trees  can be successfully moved only if a ball of soil is left around the roots. The exposed roots should be protected with moist burlap or newspaper or with polyethylene sheeting. Every effort should be made to reduce root exposure to wind and sun, keeping the ball as moist as possible. It's best to prepare the hole before digging up the tree you wish to move.

Size of the root ball and size of the hole:

For deciduous trees and shrubs the soil ball should be:

Width = 9-12 in. in diameter/every 1 in. of tree diameter
Depth = 6 in./every 1 in. of tree diameter

For example: A tree trunk 2 inches wide would need a soil ball of 18-24 inches wide and 12 inches deep.

You can either plant it in a large pot until it is a couple of feet tall or go ahead and plant it where you want it. In either case make sure the pot or hole is twice the size of the rootball and as deep. Fill with good top soil or potting soil. IF planted out mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch not piled up on the trunk. This will help hold moisture around the trees roots.