New apple tree - advice please!!

[orangepippin]

If you want to heel it in, do so near to a north-facing brick wall which gets no sunlight - that will keep the tree dormant for a few days longer. However I think it would be far better to plant it right away. Even if the weather is bad in the next few days, it is unlikely to freeze the ground.

[FB.]

I recall reading on some website that bareroot trees shouldn't be planted once the buds have burst. Is that correct? If so why would that be a problem? I guess I'm running out of time for this season.

Bare-root trees should not be purchased if the buds have opened simply for the reason that without roots in soil they will starve and dry out quickly, or if planted in mid winter the opening buds will be killed if there is a hard frost.

But if a bare-root tree with open buds is purchased, by planting it the same day there should be no problem unless there is a frost - although a very mild frost for only a few hours is unlikely to kill leaves (but might kill blossoms).