Root Over Rock Trident Maple

I just barely got a trident maple, which I want to grow in root over rock style. The tree is very, very young. Here's what I think I need to do: plant it either in a gallon pot or in the ground for about a year and let the roots get good and long. Then remove it from the ground/pot, find the perfect rock, drape the roots and then use wide wrap to secure it, then rebury it.
What should I actually do? I live in Utah in a zone 5 winters down to about 20F for about a month. Fairly heavy snowfall. How much of the foliage am I going to trim off when I bury it?
I am open to any and all suggestions.

Thanks.

Then remove it from the ground/pot, find the perfect rock, drape the roots and then use wide wrap to secure it, then rebury it.

You better "find the perfect rock" first. <g>

Your plan sounds like a good one. I would not put it back in the ground with the rock, though. A deep grow box or large pot would be best at that point.

I would also find many "perfect" rocks before playing with the roots...

I´ve found that when I unbury a tree, what I thought was the perfect rock wasn´t anywhere close for its roots and something else works better.