plus add a year or two after you plant a tree to let the roots get established (before you grow fruit). IMO this is very important. I tried your way ONCE and I failed, not saying you will, but Ive had better experience with seedlings IMOO. This is on fruit trees, where you want the fruit right now. Bought two apple trees about 5 ft high at 40 bucks a piece with small apples on them. They both got borers and other nasty diseases. one completely died and the other one is hanging on for dear life all scared up from me digging out the borers. I planted a seedling apple tree last year and it is looking superb. One more important thing to remember is that you buy fruits trees suitable to your area. good luck

your are perhaps confusing two things ... you need to water.. to settle the soil around the roots ... i would think that more important ...than whether the tree needs it.. this time of year... dormant ... leafless .... with moist soil ... you think you settled it all in by stepping on it.. but did you???? who knows ... i am glad.. for your piece of mind... you did it tonight.. why not.. it probably took you longer to fire up the techno.. to ask us ... rather than do it.. and when you get to that point.. just do it ... lol .. i also dont understand why the roots are ONLY one inch deep ... perhaps you meant.. they are properly planted.. and none more shallow than one inch ... that would be peachy ... remember.. watering in at planting.. settles in the soil.. and removes those pesky air pockets ... at least you didnt have it in the house.. next to the heat register.. in 50 gallons of water ... with what you did.. i doubt you had much to worry about ...but why find out.. eh??? ken

Get some dirt and moisture on those roots right away, peony roots are tender. Planting them in pots sounds like a good option. Use light well-draining soil, and leave the pots outside all winter long, in a relatively warm spot that isn't too sunny. Water them during warm spells but make sure they don't get water-logged. They should be fine. Good luck with your move!

and I'm wondering why one has growth, while the other one has done nothing yet. I planted both in the back yard, which recieves plenty of sunshine, is one just maybe slower to wake up? They're both the same type, the pink tree type. I also noticed that the raspberry sundae peonies I planted, there were 4 total, 3 have growth, while the 4th has done nothing. Again these are the bare root types, I can't afford to go and buy the already established ones, or I'd go broke. Should I just wait and see what happens? I'm hoping that they'll do something, I have several other peonies and I know that they're slow growers, but never had the tree type before and want them to do well. Thanks for any input.