Close up Of how the branches look. The last photo is the tree that has leafed out and looks totally healthy

More photos

Gosh, do I wish that I knew that it was no longer recommended to ammend the soil when planting woody plants. We amended the soil on many azaleas, Wee Willy boxwood, bobo hydrangeas, and false cypress. Wish I could undo it.

• We are in zone 6A, 60 miles south of Cleveland Ohio. The apple trees in question have been in the ground for a little over a month. We have so many late frosts here in our area, that the nursery where we purchased many of our things, was holding off on shipments. We bought the items as soon as they got them in and planted them right away. We were looking for nursery items in April, but pickings were slim for the above reason. I realize that cool season planting is less stressful than really warm weather planting. Our problen is, we don't know if it is a watering problem or a drainage problem. It doesn't make sense, the tree that is doing well is 5 feet from the one not doing well, and was planted in the same way. Could it be that the tree that looks was farther along than the other one? With these particular trees, we tagged one tree at the nursery and picked it up a few weeks later, when we were able to borrow a truck. They had a tarp over it with a sold tag and it was starting to leaf out beautifully. We decided to buy another one, and the other espalier trees were in another section and they were not far along leafing out at all. We brought them home and planted them right away, About a week after planting them, we had a pretty good frost one morning, It was May 18th, because I had to be up early to have a test done at the hospital. I saw the frost. It was pretty substantial. I don't know if this affected the tree or not. I am so confused.

You'll get better advice from others but I can share my zone 6 New England experience

of a freeze after unseasonably warm weather this spring. The 85 degree days deluded the humans and vegetation into thinking spring had arrived. Trees were pushing leaves, the shrubs buds were plumping up. Then the temp dropped to 30-32 one night.

People on the NE forums have reported extensive 'failure to bloom' of forsythia, rhododendrons and azaleas. So your little apple trees, having been under nursery "care," may have already been stressed by pot culture,weather and transplanting. Trees were late leafing or there was leaf damage

The question I put to the experts is should our sympathetic gardeners water the trees, lift them, and replant in the appropriate size hole with a "basin." checking that they are at the appropriate depth and the root flare is visible? Then follow best watering practices of water less often very deeply. (someone else can explain)

I have a question about the trees' location. Are they against a house or garage in front of a window> You do know they'll grow up in front of the window? And I hope you are prepared for the kind of attention espaliered plants require to establish their framework and maintain their structure.

Before you take on any big garden projects check with your extension service to see what tips they may have for your area. Or hang out on the perennials,trees and shrubs forums here for good advice before you invest big labor and big money in a project. Though with perennials going for 15-20 $ a pop even a small project can be mind bogglingly expensive.

You sound like devoted gardeners and new householders .

Good luck and good gardening.