European Beech repot?

First of all, I wanted to say thanks again for all the great advice on my last newbie post regarding Japanese Wisteria.

Now...(drum-roll)...the next newbie question:

I'm kind-of stocking up on nursery stock of different varieties so that I can work with them during their respective "maintenance" periods. Mostly they are potted in their containers in fairly decent soil that hasn't appeared to be an immediate problem.
Well, I got a really good deal on a European Beech the other day. It's decent size (10 gal container). My concern with it is how it is potted presently. Looks like the root ball is wrapped in burlap, tied off, then packed around with some mulch/bark. I opened up the top of the burlap, and was able to expose fairly dense, plain soil, that also seems to be retaining a decent amount of water.
What's best? Monitor watering as to not drown it while leaving it in its current state of potting?...or?

I appreciate all of the advice. Thanks.

Don't remove the burlap until buds start to move next Spring. The tree was probably lifted from open ground, wrapped for a time and then potted up. 6 months or so, should not harm this tree but make sure you remove all the burlap and wash away the soil too.

Will's right. Those field grown, balled and burlapped trees are really meant to be put right back into the ground, and it's way too late to do anything but that now. The majority of its roots were left in the field so it needs to spend this summer regenerating those. Try not to rock it around too much, and don't let it dry out.

R

Thanks, guys.
The burlap threw me off a little, as I have seen this done frequently, however, the trees are usually re-planted soon.
It's in good shape, and I'll leave it as is until the Spring.

Thanks again