Container pecans do not need to be dormant when transplanted. With proper care and attention, they can be transplanted October through June.
Container trees are conveniently available year round, but at a higher price than bareroot, and all varieties may not be available. For the first couple of weeks, actively growing trees planted from containers must be watered frequently, sometimes daily, til their roots establish in the surrounding soil. If planting in late spring from containers, the trees may not be well-established before early hot weather: be sure not to miss an irrigation before or during an early hot spell. If planted in the fall, the trees are well-established in the container and there should be little or no transplant shock from a combination of jostled roots, missed irrigation and/or hot weather.