I would move it as soon as possible. After only nine months in the ground the root ball should still be small and tight enough to move rather easily.
Mike

Really? I was expecting to be told to leave it until winter... OK then, I'll go out in the morning and start digging the new hole!

Thanks Mike!

Early April is hardly summer, even in CA :-) I live in a pretty balmy zone as well and only one of my JM's has fully leafed out at this time. You should still be able to move without doing harm to the tree. If it was any better established than 9 months, I might choose to wait but moving now is very similar to just planting the tree in the first place. Just keep an eye on watering this season.

No, I know it's not Summer, but all 3 of mine ARE fully leafed out, or nearly so. Not all leaves are fully flat, but they're all past the bud stage.

I moved it this morning. I got a root ball about a foot across, I don't think I cut any roots while doing so, and it's just 7 feet further down the fence line than it was yesterday. It's on the shadier and wetter side of our property - the dirt is BEAUTIFUL thick black stuff over there - so I expect it will be plenty happy. It was in a 3-gallon pot for about 3 years, then a half wine barrel for nearly a year, then the first location for 9 months or so, and now it's been shuffled over a little bit.

So, thanks guys! You gave me the confidence to get out there and dig some holes!!!

Melinda

I have similiar problem. small JM (trunk about pinky size and about 2 1/2' tall, in ground since last september. Need to move to another part of same bed. Ok to do now (May 1st) in South Carolina or should I wait until fall.

Posted this question on a seperate thread - hope I get some info soon if I should do it now!

Thanks.