you say they are bare root ... are they dormant.. leafless?? and what is your native soil ... freezing the roots into an ice cube will not be good ... and where in z5 ... regardless.... 4 foot trees will probably not live indoors ... who sent them to you this time of year ... with that timing.. they ought to guarantee such ... frankly ..... not much of a nurseryman.. in my estimate ... please dont tell me.. arborday .... lol ... i recall the name.. but not the other post... review the planting guide at the link you wouldnt happen to have a polebarn???? .. i would pot them.. and put them in the polebarn .... but not in an attached garage ... mostly.. because its full of junk.. lol ... the bottom line... its time to stop buying in z5 .... its very hard.. for a newb ..... now .... you start making lists and plans for shipping at the next proper planting time .... which will be in late march .. but 'potted' ... key word there ... can be held in a garage for a few weeks.. until proper planting time ... my planting schedule: in my z5 mi ... i plant as soon as the soil thaws in spring ... or 6 to 8 weeks BEFORE the heat of summer ... basically call that april ... or in october.. 6 to 8 weeks before ground freeze .... dave in z5 ... st louis ... shawnee.. whatever... is much more temperate .... so he might squeeze out a few extra weeks ... HE CAN ANSWER FOR HIMSELF .... but i bet he still isnt planting 12/1 .. etc ... z5 .. really means nothing ... because it is so diverse and large an area ... where are you??? ken Here is a link that might be useful: link

I think that we all must be patient this year. The soil temp is still quite cold in many areas, in some parts of my own yard my plants are almost a month behind. It is a drag to be sure...There is nothing to be gained by jumping the gun and replacing things that may just need some heat. If, in fact, they did not make it, you have the whole summer to replace them...my opinion...Helen.

Are they even available bare root in May? In most areas, bare root fruit trees come into stock at nurseries or other plant outlets in late winter - January or February - and that is when they should be planted. While still fully dormant. Once they emerge from dormancy - start producing flower buds or leaves - they become very difficult to maintain as bare root and start deteriorating unless potted up. If you can maintain proper watering over summer, I wouldn't hesitate to plant a potted fruit tree in May but I wouldn't waste my money on one that was still bare root at that time.

i tend to go with the B option ... especially on larger stock ... you really dont tell us how big your trees are .... smaller stock will outgrow the issue .. faster and easier than a 6 footer ... e.g. you plant it north facing.. as the tree will tend to grow.. in tree time.. toward the sun.. in the south ... in other words .... it will tend to self correct.. in tree time.. over the decades .... its not 5 days late .. if you want to change it.. go do it .... the plant is dormant.. i presume ... ergo.... no additional stress by simply replanting it ... simply convince yourself you just heeled it in.. until proper planting .... lol ... ken https://duckduckgo.com/?q=heeling+in+a+plant&t=ffcm&ia=web