If the soil is workable (not too wet or frozen) you should be fine.

tj

Thanks. I’ve heard as soon as leaf drop occurs, it’s best to transplant. I have heavy clay so I’ll see how wet it is.

Thanks.

After leaf drop is the perfect time, it will be able to acclimate some before spring.

z5 is half the US... how about a big city name... missouri vs maine might matter .. or CO ... etc ...

does your ground freeze?

do you know how to plant in clay .. high with a small berm

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

frost or freeze is irrelevant to this process.. its better if the leaves are already off or changed color and dormant... then the transplant can focus on growing new roots.. rather than trying to save leaves which will fall off soon anyway .. one less stress one might say ...

ken