Hi! I planted a redbud from a nursery in June of 2011. Our plan was to have a raised, boxed in garden along the back fence, so we put the tree into a 3' x 3' x 2' high box and planned on finishing the rest of the garden later and removing the left and right sides of the box so the tree would be in the long, raised garden. We wanted the tree up ASAP as we had just lost our massive poplars to old age and wanted some privacy from the ugly old apt building behind us.

We have now decided not to continue to build the raised garden as it would be too expensive (wood/earth).

The tree is doing well, but hasn't grown much in height. Since we planted it june 2011, it has grown about 6". Having it in the box gives is the extra 2' in height, but I wonder if its growth is stunted because of being in the box? Would it be better to transplant it in the ground? It was an expensive tree and its a lovely shape, albeit small.

I'd like opinions on whether it would grow better/faster inside our outside the box. Im not a gardener... just learning! :) Thanks!!