Separating trees

Hey all, First time posting in this sub and looking for some help/advice.. I got some saplings oak and mountain ash about 2 foot tall maybe 2/3 years ago. Didn’t have time to plant them at the time so stuck them in the vegetable garden all together. Now I’m ready to move them. I’m wondering will it be possible to separate them now? I presume the roots have all intertwined. I know it won’t work to dig and plant them all together as they will compete and never reach their potential. But am I mad to even try separate them? Should I just cut my losses and cut them at the ground and get new saplings? They are now 5/6 feet tall.