Safe to collect small hornbeams this month?

[Rivian]

I found small carpinus betulus ( I think ) that grow in clay/mud/leaf mold and I want to dig them up. I know if I can get them home without disturbing the root ball at all theyll be fine. But then? Maybe I should do this and then bareroot them in february

 

[Fonz]

They should be good to go no. Young trees can take a hit and this time of year is ok to dig them up anyways. I dug up a big one 3 years ago around this time of year and it dit just fine.

 

[JoeR]

I know for american hornbeam they can be collected in winter as long as their buds have NOT begun to grow. I collected one in late February with great success. I would do all the work at once.

 

[leatherback]

Just go get it.
Bare-root and plant in good substrate.

It will be fine.

 

[stu929]

This makes me curious about what to do with a tree I picked up from a nursery. I was debating putting it in the ground or slip potting it into a larger pot.....