Question
    My question may be a 2 parter or more.I planted 2 flowering crabapple trees 1 1/2 years ago(I got them from national arbor day program).They have done extremly well in the 2 growing seasons. They stand approx. 7ft tall as I did not and have not pruned them as of yet.I need to move them and would like to put them in pots as I am not sure where they will be permanatly relocated to.These trees have a great deal of meaning to my family(they are a memorial for my late brother in law).We may have to move from this home due to finacial issuses and would like to take the trees with us.If we are able to stay at the house I would trasplant trees to the center of our yard.
    Some other info you may need to answer questions.Trees are in upstate new york. They have a 1 1/2 inch diameter trunk.
    Ok here comes the questions: Can this trans plant into pots be done and should I do this in the spring or fall? should I bring them indoors, seeings that the pots would freeze compltely through? I am assuming the ground would protect them more in the winter months.I will need to transplant these trees reguardless of my options because arbor day foundation recommended I plant them right next to house for protection.I hope I have made this request as clear as possible. Thank you David

Answer
I would not put them in pots--you would need a very large pot and then you would have trouble moving it. Moving the tree inside would more than likely kill it due to the heat and lack of moisture. I would instead go ahead and transplant the tree where you want it. The best thing would be wait until the spring but that may not be an option so go ahead and do it now before the ground freezes. 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.

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.

Dig the new hole twice the size of the rootball and as deep and fill with good top soil or potting soil. Mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch not piled up op the trunk.