Question: What are the advantages and drawbacks of container-grown trees versus those that have been dug?

Answer: Container-grown trees have all of their roots intact, but they’re only available in smaller sizes (1 to 2 inches in trunk diameter). Balled-and-burlapped trees are more mature looking, although they’ll suffer more setback after they’ve been moved. Container trees can be planted at any season, as can balled-and-burlapped trees, so long as they were dug during the winter dormant season. Finally, you may only be able to get the native tree you want as a dug specimen. You’ll rarely see clump-form live and red oaks, for example, in containers. They’ve been dug off hillsides and brought to your nursery. Cedar elms and yaupon trees are almost never grown in containers, although you’ll occasionally find them dug and then planted into large pots or tubs.