If it has good growth from previous year and a decent diameter in size. I would undo the stakes and test them out. If no leaning then you are good.

Thanks for the info!

So is leaning the only concern? What about storms that come through? Some might be pushed over by a storm even if they normally stand straight by themselves.

wardog

Depending on the root stock you may have to keep the trees staked period. The dwarf root stocks don't provide good anchorage and a strong wind could easily topple them.

Mike