[Tilted Irish Kilt]

MightyMama : " .. my order is ready to ship as soon as the calendar allows. Cherry trees, apple trees, and a peach tree as well as some berry bushes."

Dig a ten dollar hole for a five dollar tree. (Put the topsoil on a tarp)
In the hole mix 15-15-15 into the soil, and form to a triangle or pyramid with some of the topsoil
Spread the roots onto the pyramid so they all point outward an don't cross each other (avoid girdled roots)
Mix the remainder of the topsoil with fertilizer, water well, and compress the soil around the roots to form a shallow dish shape (for water retention).
When ever trimming live growth, or pruning, never remove more than 1/3 of the live growth (avoid plant shock).
Prune while dormant, and apply dormant oil spray in late winter, or early spring (during frost) to kill insect pests.(not necessary in first year transplant)

[MightyMama]

Thanks a ton! I will do that.

[Wneighbor]

May I add something about digging those tree holes?

Dig an off shaped hole. Not round or oval, just jagged weird shape. Sometimes rounded holes encourage girdling roots as if the tree were to become rootbound in a pot. Pointy edges encourage the roots to grow outward and continue into that surrounding soil. This in addition to the things listed by TIK.

Soils in my area are notoriously bad so I have to make every effort to get that root system out there.

[Augie]

Dig a ten dollar hole for a five dollar tree

Around here it's "Don't put a $100 tree in a $10 hole."

I can't remember the last time I saw a $5 tree.