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The best time to plant or transplant any plant (shrubs, trees, perennials) is during their dormant season, unless the plant has been growing in a container such as one you would purchase at a nursery. A container grown plant will not lose any roots during the planting as it is merely taken out of the container and planted into the hole, so there is very little if any stress on the plant. A plant that is moved from the growing site (garden, field, lawn, for examples), however, will lose alot of roots when it is dug up. If the plant is fully leafed out at this time, it is unable to absorb the needed moisture and nutrient requirements for those leaves due to the loss of roots, and the plant will suffer from stress, most often resulting in death of the plant. Therefore, it is best to wait until the plant is dormant before transplanting it, at which time there is no stress on the plant. A dormant plant has completed producing and storing food (energy rich carbohydrates), and is prepared for the winter months ahead, and the followings years growing season.
Deciduous trees and shrubs are dormant in the autumn once they drop their leaves. Leaf drop of deciduous shrubs or trees can also be used as a guide for transplanting conifers (evergreens - spruce, pine. cedars, etc.) as well, as they are also usually dormant once the deciduous trees and shrubs lose their leaves.
Trees and shrubs that are planted as soon as they drop their leaves in the autumn can benefit greatly from early planting, in the fact that their roots will keep growing until the ground freezes (in regions where the ground does freeze). The tree or shrub usually does very well the following spring due to the somewhat already established root system.
Early spring, before the shrub or tree leaves out, is perhaps the best time to transplant a tree or shrub, as that plant will have a complete growing season to re-establish itself before the onset of winter. I have had close to 100% success with planting dormant trees or shrubs in either spring or autumn, so I find it hard to suggest which is best. Shallow rooted evergreens such as Cedars, however, have a much better chance of survival if they are planted in the spring.
The keys to success are in properly preparing the soil before planting (add organic material and bonemeal to the soil and mix it in thoroughly); do not let the roots dry out during the transplanting operation; water the plant in well after planting (to remove any air pockets in the soil near the roots), and keep the plant well watered until it is fully established.
