Prune back now??

[Goodroot]

I’m drawing a blank and time is getting away from me. I’m in NE Tx zone 8. Just grabbed a 7’ live oak from Lowe’s 50% off. Dry leaves , very much alive. It’s got pretty good root flare for its age. I’m gonna drop it in the ground for a year or two. Can I cut the tap root now and cut it down to 12” or so now, or do I wait on that? I always plant trees in the Fall here, but mainly Nov/Dec. can I trunk chop now or in early Spring is my main question.

 

[Bowhuntmuledeer]

I’m just a newb, but if it were mine, I’d probably just plant it in the ground, air layer the top off once the growth hardened off next summer. I dunno about the roots, but I’d guess they’re kind of a mess in there. Could maybe open it up a little before ground planting, and plan more major root management spring 2026, put it in a big flat box then.