When I received my 5 trees I didn't have the spot prepared for planting. I had to "heel them in" which I did inside their transport bags by adding peat and keeping them watered for 4 weeks. Once planted (in April) they did great once they were given time to root. Their growth hasn't been much since the summers in Mich. are short and the spot they're planted in is semi-sun. Winter hasn't hurt them, but I'm eager to see how much they grow this coming summer. I'm happy with them so far and feel I should give them more growing time before considering any downside to them.
