Sounds like the seedling was trying to balance the loss of hair roots by defoliating. If the seedling is still flexible it might have a chance, especially a 6" tree with an 18" root, but time will tell. Check it every couple of weeks for flexibility, make sure there is moderate moisture in the soil (don't overwater). If it were a bigger plant you could scratch the bark with a thumbnail to see if it was still a healthy green underneath to verify viability, but right now it's been through enough.

A better time to transplant it would have been after fall dormancy, better yet spring.

hortster

I've found bur oaks to be pretty sensitive to having their roots disturbed. I've had several little seedlings not make it, and others come through just fine. My thought is to keep it there until it's either greenish or not greenish.

I'd also recommend trying to put a wire mesh kind of cage around it to deter critters from cutting the little trunk when digging for the acorn or wanting to take a bite of it. Not to mention keeping the two legged critters from stepping on it or cutting it down.

vince

Keep it watered occassionally as mentioned. Bur Oaks typically will not sprout growth until roots have grown to support the growth. It may be next spring before you see new leaves. As mentioned a better time would have been when the tree was dormant.

i would have waited until the leaves fell off .. and then i wouldnt have to worry like you are now ...

but i would still sit around all winter wondering if it would bud out in spring ...

the tree went stress dormant when you dug it up ... it simply shut down the leaves.. if they actually hadnt all ready done so ... getting ready for Oct ...

it will continue to grow roots [a tree dormant above remains active below] ... until very late into fall ... so keep it properly watered.. and mulched.. but dont drown it.. this time of year.. with cool days.. and cold nights.. you dont really need to provide a lot of water.. but you do need to check it.. insert finger ...

all my transplants are bare root.. that is irrelevant.. IMHO ... as was .... IMHO.. the tap root .. i would have favored speed of transplant.. over spending excessive time on the tap ...

timing could have been a bit better.. after the leaves fell off.. but i suspect your friend wanted it gone.. and you did what you had to do ...

dont worry about it.. at worst.. you got some exercise.. and spent some time with a friend ... and you have a pre-dug hole for a new one.. if this one dies.. lol ...

ken

Oh, believe me; I'm not worried about it in the least. It is a free tree and is only 6" tall. My friend's "squirrel planters" have made sure that he has plenty of bur oak seedlings popping up in his flower beds. I was just curious as to whether or not it would survive the winter. I'll leave it alone except to water it occasionally and see what happens in the spring.

I had THOUSANDS of bur oak seedlings this year. I have been pulling them all summer. When they are small enough ( two leaves acorn still visible) they replant themselves whether you want them to or not!!

When my friend was trying to pull some of the ones in his yard, they were about 12" tall, and he was literally pulling them using the entire weight of his body and could barely get them out, because the root was so long.

I planted some bur oak acorns in the fall in medium size terracota pots and they are about 5 - 6” tall now. I would like to transplant them outside in the spring. Should I leave the rootball intact or break it up and plant it as a bare root? Thanks Jim

I have one that this year grew from two feet to four feet! I hope to transplant it this fall/winter/next spring. It has amazing full foliage with leaves ten inches long. I'll be patient and wait and follow guidance below. Advise?

And I have another that is rooted adjacent the base of another tree. I sense little hope of being able to dig it out and extract any root as it is against the other tree base. Regrets.

Wait until next spring well before it leafs out. It'll have a tap root, try to get as much as reasonable. The one against the tree is prb'ly not transplantable.