Yeah, looks like a dud. Bad time of year to be planting as well.

Where do you live? This is way too late to plant a bare root fruit tree. Too hot. Bare root fruit tree should be plant in early to mid spring.

Gurney has an exclusive right to sell Flat Wonderful. Don't know if it is still true.

Wherever you bought it from, call them to let them know the tree is dead. They should give you a replacement tree next spring.

I've tried three FW's from Gurneys and every one of them died! They all did the same thing - roots appeared to be good as they suckered from the rootstock but above the graft was dead wood.

Scratch the bark above the graft union. If the bark is still green it has a chance. It doesn't look good but maybe there's a chance.

I live in NY, looks like I will be getting a replacement, but I was hoping it would be alive rather than wait. I know it is a bad time to plant this, but got this when it was on sale :( I also tested the scratch method and it doesn't look too green either. Thanks for the tip guys!

They put things on sale late in the growing season. You risk it as those trees may be of poorer quaiity and the weather where you are may be too hot for a bare root tree to establish.

Many people have no issue establishing bare root trees esp. apples late in a growing season. Now and again, it does not work out.

Hi FruitNut—this is Deborah (not Lil) actually, whose IPad I’m on. You’ve answered the mystery question about how I’m seeing some mold in my apricots (the 8% solution) Sherlock! And I can’t thank you enough! Are you on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram? I had to make a special account here just to thank you for answering our question on the apricots, but I’d love to get to know you! Thanks again for your superlative knowledge.

You can find me as Deborah R Mrantz or @guildworks on most media.