A single cookie sheet sized mess is actually kind of impressive in a terrible way. hart.ryan might be onto something with the melted butter thing, but 80 degrees is just asking for trouble. Did it at least still taste okay?

Staking everything is just lazy planting. A wobbly tree builds a stronger trunk and a wider root system. You're basically making a weak, dependent tree if you stake when it's not needed.

Tiny springs are the worst, I once lost one in a shag carpet for three days lol.