They looked pretty much bare roots. The leaves are just starting. Would it make a difference?

Bear root means you buy it as is not in a pot and the roots are bear. But yeah those are still not leafed out, they should be fine.

I wouldn't be worried...you still got lots of branches...the first one seems to have 2 centers and crutch, one I would take out or next year. The idea is to leave most branches on for good root establishment.

The nursery just got those tree maybe a month ago then put them in pots so when I pulled them out they looked like a bare roots tree. The first one is actually cut down to about 4 1/2 feet. And the other one I pruned it more heavily because it had like 3 middle branches that looked awkward and were literally rubbing each other (crossing).

I'd cut that center further down to the level of the next branch.

>>they looked like a bare roots tree<<

Lots of little nurseries.. re-sellers get bare root, pot them up and charge about 3 X more. Sometimes...especially when leafed out and taking out of the pot and when soil falls off the roots it will be in stress and you can loose it. Best to place the whole pot into the hole and cut open pot not letting soil fall off.

That's a good idea. How long should I wait/ and how would I know the tree will be healthy? Should I wait a month and see how it's gonna do? If it does poorly, I can replace it. I also didn't feel like digging 3 or 4 feet wide hole so I just trimmed the roots a bit.

If in a month they look alright then you're free sailing.

Did dirt fall off? A little is fine but if all falls off then it's not good.

I totally misread your post. When you said "it had flowers and leaves growing". Glad you posted pictures. Others are right. They should be fine.

my only concern is, the trees appear to be quite close to the fence. How close? Plums are known to throw out long canes.

Yes. All the dirt fell off.

I had to keep it about a 1 1/2 foot away from fence because to the left of that is a 4 way plum against back fence. I can just let branches go over the fence then outward.

You can summer prune peaches and plums (generally after all the fruit has ripened and been harvested) to keep it at the size that you want, but I do not believe that this is usually a major prune, just a touch up.

I think you will be fine. I bought a pluot two years ago late in spring, was a potted bare root that had leafed out. All the dirt fell off when planting. Tree is very vigorous for me. Keep it mulched & watered.

Melikeeatplants. How about them being pruned that much? I also bout 2 cherry trees and pruned them to knee height? I really like them to grow low as I don't really want to have to grab a huge ladder to pick fruit.

Yeah, they are just leafing out it's not a problem. All those leaves will start feeding the plant soon...

>>I think you will be fine<<

Mine wasn't fine ...but then, mine didn't have much of a root system and died, I then got a replacement the next year and nursery told me that putting the pot into the hole and cut pot open is the way to go for these trees...wasn't much of a problem with a peat pot, tree did good.

Cut the bottom? Or cut the whole pot out? I know some of those nursery pots is quite thick

I've seen some people advise you to cut the bottom, place it in the hole, then use garden shears to cut down one side in order to remove the whole pot. You may need to make two cuts to get the remnants of the pot out easier.

I wouldn't leave the sides of the pot in the hole, that could cause the tree to become root bound.

That's good to know. Thanks. I'll give these trees a fighting chance. If they don't make it then I'll apply your idea. I had to replace my Santa rosa plum as I hear that it doesn't do too well in Seattle.