Not a good time for exploratory surgery. Plant it at the proper depth, stake it, put a 3 foot mulch ring around it and water properly.

tj

Upon further inspectioncroon, it appears the tree was planted in the pot too deep originally

There appears to be some serious root girdling occurring. Unless corrected, the tree will not have a very long or healthy life. Unfortunately, uprooting and root surgery now is very far from ideal. I don't hold out strong hope.

So you think i should call it a day with this tree and just try another?

If it's been out of the ground for more than a couple of hours, yes.

Ok thanks, ive had it in ground for two years. and it was able to pop out from rocking back and forth. i have a feeling it will do the same if planted again

I'd be shocked if the tree would live after replanting. In my experience, bare root moving a tree in full leaf has always meant certain death or massive die-back to the point of not worth keeping. The root looks terrible anyway. Get a new one.

This is why I will always take bare root or B&B over potted trees if possible.

I would sort out the roots and replant it rather than chuck it out. Water it like crazy. The foliage and top actually look extremely healthy. By all means plant another in the appropriate season but I’d be loath to just waste this one.

I'd not be able to resist doing root surgery, replanting it, and rigging some shade for a few weeks. If nothing else it would be educational.

I had planted it yesterday, i wasnt able to stake it yet but it was standing up all night until a storm came through and now its laying down and leaves are drying out it appears

"i had a peach tree that fell a handful of times in the first few years"

Sounds like you need to bone up on correct planting techniques!

Tree roots exposed to sun, air and dryness without the protection of soil die very rapidly. This is why bare root stock is always sold with a protective covering around the roots, even in winter when the tree is fully dormant, as once those roots dry out there is no coming back. Bare rooting in the middle of the growing season, in full leaf, roots exposed to sun and drying conditions for who knows how long and without some reconstructive root surgery, this tree doesn't stand a chance!

"time to establish" my Aunt Fanny!!