What can I do with this tree?

Last year I was given a sapling of a crab apple. I think it originally came from a Woodland Trust local giveaway. I put it in a pot, forgot about it and now it's leafing out. I've space to grow this tree, but should I leave it in pots a while for it to establish? Anything else to do?

Cheers

 

I’d plant it in the ground if you have a suitable space. It will be easier to control watering and give the roots a chance to spread outwards as well as down.

 

Plant it and put a little cage around it to stop bunnies and stuff eating it

Bare in mind itll get to a full size tree eventually

 

Cheers all. My only issue that as the height it is, in my chosen spot it will be very shaded. Once it gets close to clearing fence height it will have a long day of sun. Is there no way I can nurture it in pots which I can keep in the sun until it gets some growth?