It's about 4ft tall, 3ft across at widest point. I certainly don't see any fibrous circling roots around the top and nothing growing out of drainage holes

Just because it is not root bound it doesn't mean it wouldn't appreciate a larger container!! I plant up all my containerized JM's in larger containers as soon as I get them (typically 1G's). Allows the roots to spread freely, reduces the need for more frequent repotting and root pruning and reduces the watering frequency.

Just this weekend I potted up a tiny 4" pot of Manyo no Sato into a 2G pot and a 1G Ariadne into a 5G.

I'd never wait to pot up until the tree becomes root bound.

Black pot in full sun? You're gonna need a bigger pot to keep the roots from cookin'. If you can't repot at least get it out of full sun or cover the pot somehow.

tj

Smaller containers dry out MUCH faster than larger ones. I too would pot up immediately, and give it morning sun and afternoon shade.

Too many logistical problems with potting this one in the heat so I found a place in the ground. Hopefully it will be happier here...

Pretty tree!

Nice location.

tj

Nice! Make sure you put 1-2 inches of mulch on the surface so it does not get dry out easily. it will significantly reduce the need of watering.

Lovely Little Tree

Be careful those Dense Branches dont end up Fighting for Position and perhaps consider some (Minimal) but controlled Pruning at the Opportune moment

Gardengal will give you some sound advice on this issue..

Tree looks so much more happier in the ground than it did in the pot!!

Personally, IME Shishigashira needs very little pruning ever. Refer to my thread on "we grow 'em big" to see a massively large one that to my knowledge, has never been pruned.

Link to We Grow 'em Big.

tj

You should have had no problems with potting up, root pruning would have been ill-advised, yes. You should be able to pot up anytime.

That being said, that's a lovely spot...It looks great there!