Q.Repotting dwarf apple trees
Should you pull out the potted tree from its original pot in its entirety and transfer it with all the old soil still attached into the new, larger pot, or should you remove as much of the old soil as possible, thus exposing the roots, before placing in its new, larger pot complete with fresh compost?
Dig a hole that is a foot wider and foot deeper then the root ball.
Lay the pot and tree on it's side and gently slide the post from the plants roots ball.
Do not remove the soil from around the root ball, but gently tease or pull the roots on the bottom out.
Place the tree in it's new, larger pot.
Make sure the graft (the swollen part of the truck) stays at least 1" above the soil line.
Back fill the tree and tamp down to avoid air pockets.
Water your new tree well and mulch with 2 to 3 inches of hardwood mulch.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/apples/apple-tree-planting.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/growing-trees-in-containers.htm
