Acer, Too late?

Is it too late to plant a 3ft Acer Palmatum, I seem to remember reading somewhere that they should be planted in Winter rather than Spring ie before the sap has started to rise. Mine has buds swelling. Too late?

 

If its container-grown it will be fine (water it through the Summer) but for bare rooted, or transplanting, its getting rather late

 

Thanks, t's been in a pot for 3 years, I'll try and get it planted in the next day or so.

 

It's in now with some ericaceous compost.

 

As soon as the buds burst I'll take a pic.

 

can you relocate them when they are established from ground ??

 

Acers are a lot tougher than they look.
I have this one for almost 15 years.

I pruned the roots and changed the soil on October 25th 2011 (previous root pruning October 2008)






Today March 30 2012

 

I can only answer in relation to Acer Palmatum bonsai but it might help: They are in fact repotted (and root pruned by a third if needed) in spring after the first buds have formed. So I would think that full size Acers are no diferent and are repotted/moved at the same time.