Beagle, however told you exposure to air would kill a tree was just a little off. Exposure won't kill them, drying out will though, whether or not they are in the ground.

We routinely buy trees as "bare root" stock. They literally wash ALL the soil off the roots when the plant is dormant, they then spray the roots with a waxy spray like they do vegetables to prevent them drying out during shipping. It is basically the same stuff you can buy over the counter as anti-desiccant spray to prevent winter burn off.

Probably the two biggest factors to success are soil preparation and water.

Dig the hole as big as is needed, then add in any soil amendments needed and then break up the soil in every direction to an area twice as big as the hole is. This step is critical to the success of the tree, virgin undistrubed soil is very hard for roots to quickly penetrate.

When you water the tree, try to avoid the temptation to pour the water right at the base of the trunk. The 'feeder roots' of any tree are most active in the area known as the 'drip line', this is where rain water would land if it dripped off the branches. Watering AROUND a newly transplanted tree will encourage the roots to quickly spread out to seek the water. The soil you previously loosened and any amendments you put in it will help this process a LOT.

Past that, the only little tip I can give you is the one thing most people miss. Moving a tree is a real stress on them. You want to do everything you can to minimize this stress. So, before you dig the tree up clearly mark (string on a branch works good) the north side or anything you want, and be sure to place it in it's new home in EXACTLY the same solar orientation. In this area of the world the tree will have become accustomed to getting the most sunlight on it's south-west side, and that is where it's 'solar collection system' is the strongest. If you plant it 180 degrees off that point you be putting it at a great disadvantage.

Best of luck.

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