Chris:

Normally, the graft itself is two to three inches above the soil line, so you have very unusual cases there. I am a little surprised that a commercial nursery would ship out trees like that, the moreso two of them.

But, after checking to ensure that all of the branches indeed originate above the graft line, I think I would let them grow as they are -- in effect, apricot bushes -- and I would spread the branches down to at least 45% if they are not already doing that naturally. There are advantages to having the fruiting branches of an apricot low, and no disadvantages I can think of.

But again, clearly identify the graft and check that the branches originate above, not below it. There is always the outside possibility that these trees are cases of failed grafts, which would make it easy to explain the multiple branching coming from the rootstock. If it is rootstock growth you have, it will not be of the named varieties you ordered, and the trees should be returned to the nursery.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

I planted the tree so that the graft is at or just below the ground level. I was told that this makes the tree a bit more hardy and these varieties are not very large naturally anyway.

The branches are definitely coming from above the graft union so I think they are the right variety. I'll prune each one down to about 1.5 - 2 feet and see how it does this year.

Chris