Will these apple trees survive?

[pinetag]

So I took a chance on a couple of apple trees from a local farm because they were cheap ($10 a piece). The tops look plenty healthy but it looks like they just ripped them right out of the ground and destroyed some of the roots in the process. Do you think if I get them planted on Saturday they will have a chance? The good news is we are expecting a fair amount of rain on Sat. but I'm skeptical if they will make it.

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[Turkey Creek]

I vote NO

 

[Mitch123]

Vote would also be no. Doesn’t even look like the farmer tried to get the things out in one piece. Shame!

 

[Worm]

I agree with Turkey Creek . Man, they look rough !

 

[Chummer]

I stay they are already dead. Only chance would be to cut them off a few inches up and hope they push some new growth.

 

[Merle Hawggard]

That's an awful lot of tree and very little root.

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[dogghr]

Wow I would've been ashamed to even give those to you. Just a spade would've done better digging around a root ball. Small one might live but doubt the larger. I probable wouldn't waste my energy and go buy one good one. Prove us wrong maybe.

 

[Native Hunter]

They do look horrible, but if he won't take them back, I would put them in the ground and see what happens. I see just enough feeder roots that make me think there is a chance. I planted some pears once that looked nearly that bad and they did okay.

 

[buckvelvet]

If you did attempt to plant them (I woulnd't unless i had tons of room and time to waste), I'd cut them with barely a foot left of the tree......

 

[T-Max]

Put them in a "rootmaker." That's what they do, right?

 

[pinetag]

I was afraid those were the answers I'd get. I've asked if he'll replace these two but if not I may as well take a chance on planting them tomorrow. It's supposed to rain pretty good so maybe I can keep them alive. Would it hurt anything to plant them a little deeper in hopes of promoting more root growth or would that do me no good?

 

[pinetag]

Well, he said he's never had issues doing this himself, but if I do he will bring me a couple potted trees as replacements. I'm gonna plant and prune them back tomorrow just in time for a decent amount of rain so I'll try to keep a close eye on their progress.

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[Chummer]

Have the roots been kept wet since you had them? If not that is a double whammy.

 

[pinetag]

Have the roots been kept wet since you had them? If not that is a double whammy.

I've wet them but they are not sitting in water.

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[TheOldOak]

I doubt they live but who knows. The roots look dry in the pic. Need to keep the roots damp, if they dry out for even a short period of time there is probably no hope.

 

[Chainsaw]

Getting them in the ground as soon as possible of course gives you the best shot. IF you can't get to your hunting property in the next couple of days then planting them in your yard for future replanting could be a good option. They are about the worst looking apple trees I've ever seen; however plants dug up during their dormant season and replanted also during dormancy can surprise us. Still though as others have said, cutting them back and hoping for new sprouts would be a homerun I would think..

 

[X-farmerdan]

Surviving and thriving are two different things. Most of your "cost" is in digging the hole and tending the tree. Cost is the same for a good change and for a bad chance. Frankly, I wouldn't even plant those things.

 

[Doe Shooter]

That's an awful lot of tree and very little root.

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Same has been said about me.

 

[Neahawg]

Cut them back hard, and plant them where you can wafer frequently

 

[pinetag]

So a quick update...i planted both trees and pruned them back hard on 3/17 and we've had some decent rains since. They are starting to bud now so it looks like they might make it after all. I don't expect much growth this year but hopefully they'll catch up some next year.

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