I decided to let the box be as is. I will let you all know in the spring.
Here, ground temps are freezing at times, when above-ground is passable, and he is insulated by leaves and needles.. Was told by that expert that un-brumating can cause death if early.
I've "un-brumated" them a lot , every year I can think of I've gotten one or two early ….. I've not been real confident of a few over the years and hibernated them a month or two whereas it's normally about 7 months here ……. I did one this year for a month , and one for two months , one has ear abscesses and the other was with it and another with a respiratory infection whom I didn't even let try to hibernate ……. if your box turtle cannot dig into the natural ground don't leave him out . eastern box turtles don't go very deep , but I've seen them down up to about 6 inches below natural ground level ………. counting the ground cover leaves , grass and branches would put them down 2 1/2' -3' feet from the surface