In Michigan, it will be fine. Just be sure to use a container that is quite a bit larger than the one its in now -- the extra soil mass protects the roots over the winter. If you can pull the container into a sheltered spot like a corner and throw some straw or other insulating material around it, that will help, too, but crabs are generally very hardy (I think some are rated Zone 2!) and I've had them overwinter in exposed above ground pots just fine here in SE Michigan. Most things that are rated a zone or two hardier than where you live will generally make it fine in containers -- I've overwintered a lot of evergreens and many of the hardier deciduous trees like maples this way. Trash trees like mulberry and boxelder, too, when they came up on their own in pots.

Also, be sure to not use a clay or ceramic pot that will freeze and crack over the winter. Plastic, wood, foam, fiberglass are all fine.

Yup, perfectly "do-able"! Go for it!

i would not shock the heck out of it now.. so as to shock the heck out of it next spring ...

just plunk the pot in shade... preferably where the tree can be in sun .. and hold it there until next spring ...

in early winter.. tip it over... lay it on the ground.. so that water and ice do not accumulate in the pot.. even better if you have a garden shed or barn.. or DEttached garage .... [attached garages can be too warm ...

the bigger pot.. is not.. in the short time space.. going to make up for two intense transplant shocks .. if you werent to plant it for 2 or 3 years.. i could be a benefit worthy of the shock ...

besides.. i would never repot a LEAFED tree.. we pot trees in dormancy ....

ken

I would (and am with a couple trees on the back porch now) play it safe and do as Ken has suggested. As long as they will be planted by next spring, I wouldn't mess with it for my own sanity and unnecessary stress on the tree. But that is me in our 100+* marathon of summer in zone 7. I certainly have no experience in MI.

Please... tease me with your high temperature today. Is it even shorts weather yet up there? lol ;-) I'm sure it is getting hot up there, too

Thanks to both of you. I've slipped them out of the pots, and they're not pot bound. I think I could put them in bigger pots without overly-disturbing the root system. I like the idea of more insulation during the winter, and bigger pots would also mean that I could keep them in pots next summer if I really wanted or needed to.

j0nd03 - I hadn't seen your post when I replied...thanks for your comments too. It was in the upper 80's here today, and it felt hot to this Michigander. :) But tomorrow I'll remind myself that we could be dealing with another 100 degrees!