We're planting trees!

[csziggy]

2. The directions recommend opening and putting the roots in water

Separate the roots gently then put them in water - a tall drink cup is pretty close to large enough for all of them. Otherwise I would worry about them drying out or getting moldy. .

There really shouldn't be a problem planting your trees before the storm. There isn't enough to them to blow over - just bare sticks - and unless you leave them in the warmth there probably aren't any buds to get damaged by cold.

When I bought thousands of bare root seedlings from the forestry service, they came bundled with no protection in the fall. We stuck them in buckets with some water, stuck them in the ground within a week or two, and did nothing to them all winter. Pretty close to 100% survived and most are still growing

Because we have to worry about deer eating things, I bought tomato cages for these trees and we are going to wrap with bird netting. And since the young men that mow for us are not good about identifying stuff or remembering where things are, I wrapped a strip of bright pick survey tape around the tops of the tomato cages so they are highly visible.

I hope your trees do good!