Last October Vance Wood and myself recieved 100 3 year old pine plugs, 50 Japanese Black Pines and 50 Scots Pines, we had little choice but to pot them then, basically bare root, and had to do some minor root pruning only to fit the pots.
Since that time we lost 2 scots pines and 15 Black Pines, all were kept in the same area, protected the same over winter (protected from wind but outside), and treated the same overall. Living in Michigan, we ordered from a Michigan source.
The remaining trees are healthy, growing like mad, and generally thriving.
17% loss ratio or a 83% survial ration, depending on your outlook.
Recommended? Never. I think the very mild early winter we had here saved most of the trees, all in all I can't complain though.
Will