farm hunter; here's a few articles on container vs bare root.

http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/wrtc/wrp/tnotes/vnem1-1.pdf

http://www.kansasforests.org/pubs/conservation/treepricelist.pdf

http://www.auburn.edu/academic/forestry_wildlife/longleafalliance/landowners/forestrestoration/seedqual5.htm

I like to grow them until the fall rains or overwinter trees until the spring. You should get very good growth and few losses from container grown. It also allows you to buy small seedlings and grow them on for a few years until they have a fighting chance in poor planting spots.

Dan O.