Have you taken the tree out of the container to inspect the rootball yet? How large is the tree and container? Does the tree appear to be otherwise healthy?

All that said, minor root pruning (

as little as possible ...

or... if its really bad.. sink the pot and all ... if drainage allows.. cant recall your soil type ...

and plant it properly in fall ...

no one says it has to be done NOW .. though that lesson sometimes escapes you .. lol ...

i buy many things in the heat of summer.. and simply hold them until fall planting time ... and the ground is a nice insulator from intense heat ..

ken

uhhh I meant "I am NOT sure about your tree in particular"

-Sorry!

Good info guys. I'll pull it out of the pot and inspect it (digging aroudn at the root floor, there is one root that is 1/4" think that may need to be pruned). If I think I have to trim out more roots than expected I'll repot it in a #15 container. Its in a #10 right now, about 5' tall with a 1" caliper trunk.

Aesculus x 'Autumn Splendor'. Most trees have swelling buds, some are just about to leaf out.

Forsythia is now at peak bloom, Magnolias are about to bloom. So yeah, spring is way behind!

Oh yeah you are good to go with your timing. Do what needs to be done root pruning wise and save yourself the bump up in your blood pressure that would have taken hold as you worried constantly about the tree. It is an exciting time for you and your landscape, good luck!