You're good to plant at that point. They're not "totally" dormant, by the leaf sensenence has already begun and transpiration is minimal.

go for it ...

basically ... you dont want to have to support the leaves .. they are water suckers ...

so the idea is to move in dormancy ... so the roots can use the water.. to grow roots ... to be ready for the next set of leaves.. come next spring ...

so.. by the time they change color ... job done... going to fall off rather soon anyway..

so ... go for it .. see link

ken

https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub

waiting....waiting. can't wait to get to get my hands on a shovel and move those hydrangeas....

great link, Ken. Thanks

The new Sunset Maple took a while to get going in spring and has been changing color early. The growth was rather ragged looking. I thought that one I might at least do early. The roots could use some surgery I did not do when planting. The other maples are still green green. The Sugar Maples in the park across from my house have already started going orangey red. Couple weeks ago actually.

Thinking about it, I realized that I failed to mention, some maples don't move well in the fall. Freemans for sure, we don't use rubrum in this area due to soil pH issues so I don't know for sure on that, and sugars I can't remember now, but for sure, at least here in Z5, which some here have pointed out constitutes almost fifty percent of the nation, things like 'Autumn Blaze' maples we only spring-plant.

+oM