Hi Lance,

Fall is indeed the best time to plant trees in North Carolina. Although
they'll soon be losing their leaves, their root systems continue to grow
and strengthen throughout the fall and winter, giving them a good head
start for spring and the heat of summer. Remember that newly-planted
trees need lots of water, even during the winter when they're leafless
and dormant, since the roots are still growing out underground. I'd
recommend picking up a copy of Toby Bost's excellent North Carolina
Gardener's Guide - it has a detailed section for just about every plant
that grows in the state, including trees, with specific planting and
fertilizing instructions.

Best,

MAC

--
Mark My Words - http://www.mindspring.com/~afan/

I always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific. - Jane Wagner