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If these trees were supplied as 1-year bare-root trees then
they should have been cut-back to around 1m after you planted them. If you don't do this (and it looks like you
didn't) then it is difficult for the tree to establish, particularly in a pot. Even so I think you have been very unlucky here.
The Stella cherry might survive, if, as you say, the growth
is from above the graft union. If so then
I would cut out everything above, leaving just the healthy shoots. If you post a close-up I can advise further.
The Gala apple tree might also survive, but I would suggest
cutting it back early next spring.
The ones that are "alive at the roots" are probably dead,
but the rootstock has survived and is trying to grow - unfortunately that is of
little help to you.
You see cutting the trees back as a bad thing, but if I had
my way nearly all 1-year bare-root trees would be cut back to 1m at the nursery
before delivery - precisely to avoid the situation you see in these photos.
Out of interest, which way does this fence face? Also, do you know what rootstocks these trees
are grafted on (which would answer Mike Allen's comment about whether they are really
dwarf trees or not).
It is difficult to say who is to blame, but it is unlikely
that all 5 trees were dead or dying on arrival from the nursery. If you told the nursery
what you intended to do with the trees perhaps they should have given more
advice on how to plant and prune them. Having said that, I am surprised you have had such bad luck ... but the Gala and the Stella may well survive and eventually become nice trees.
www.orangepippintrees.co.uk
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