Might be planted too deeply and is that burlap sticking out of the ground?

tj

Thanks Tj. Im not sure if it was before. It is balled in burlap right now & I was told it has been for a year. I just got it

That tree will have to be replaced.

I'd talk to your nursery about it.

Not sure what issue on the trunk you're asking about, perhaps because the pic is not close enough to tell. Aside, how did it look health-wise last season?

It definitely looks like it's planted too deep.

So it's still not planted? Oh good.

It's been that way for more than a year.

I wouldn't accept it. Demand a different tree.

That tree looks to have been moved around with a front end loader. Normally you would pad the top of the bucket with burlap or something to prevent scraping the tree trunk up.

Unfortunately not everyone knows or cares...

Accidents can happen and while I understand that every tree the nursery has means $$ when they sell it and discarding a piece of inventory means taking a loss on that item.

Still, that doesn't make it right, selling it to an unwary customer.

A wound like that can be an avenue for rot entering, weakening the trunk and eventual demise of the tree.

You're paying (plenty for a tree that size) and shouldn't have to accept anything but a healthy tree in good shape. imo.