1) Looks like leaf wilt of some type.
2) I'm not sure but it looks like it could be sun scorch.
3) I don't know what they are but they aren't spider mites or chiggers. They are a lot smaller than that. I'd like to know what they are too because I've been seeing them cralling on rocks and stuff in the garden

Actually they could be red aphids. Someone confirm pleas.

It doesn't look anything like an aphid, but the image is too small to determine the identity for certain (other than NOT an aphid). Perhaps a nymph of something. Remember....we need to listen to ALL of the clues: he/she commented that this insect has been observed crawling on rocks in the garden. Not an aphid. And look at the size.

Under and over watered plants can exhibit the same symptoms. If the plant was overwatered at the beginning, then root rot could have caused some problems. Truthfully, there is no way to help with this problem without actually seeing the plant in person, in my opinion. Too many factors can come into play with a plant's demise after planting. (Most of them have to do with something we did wrong.)

A rain tree that was overwatered, a burning bush that got scorched, and now an aphid that isn't really an aphid!! What is going on here? Too wierd.

lol!

Say, gaoy...does the critter in the attached link kinda look like your little red and plant insect? These guys are often mistaken for aphids when small. Plus, as you said....they are very active and they don't come equipped with those 'tails' (cornicles) that aphids have. ;-)

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1159800}}

yeah, I'm just lucky like that :P
rhizo, it does look kinda like your link as far as the abdomen goes, without the black body. could be a nymph form, but not of a wheel bug. i wish though...as many as i have, they'd wipe out all the other pesky bugs on my property! No, entire body is red, and thorax and head very short.
any way of recognizing root rot if I uncovered it a little?
going through a crash course in what can go wrong my first year gardening :P

1. Did you use any fertilizer on this little tree? What is going on with the top? It looks broken. It doesn't look like it was overwatered. It looks scorched and brittle, maybe root damage when planted?

2. Looks like left over damage from the infestation. Cut those white leaves off. See how the new growth is. If it is still chlorotic looking, you might test the soil.

3. Looks more like a Boxelder nymph to me but it is a little far away.

1. this tree was just planted this spring from the arbor foundation, so i did not fertilize it as that is something they said should be avoided until the second year. the top was broken when it arrived. the tree started off really good, so I don't think it could have been root damage since none of the leaves existed when i planted it. but it is in full sun, so maybe it was scorched (though they say to plant it in full sun :P )

2. I'll try this, but it's apparently been there for some years. could the soil quality change so suddenly?

3. could be possible as we have boxelder bugs everywhere. but unless the nymphs go through an earlier, all red stage, don't think that quite fits either :( but thanks.

Re: #3, your picture looks like it has dark shoulders but since it is far away, I can't be sure. Check this link below.

Re: #1, Since you didn't fertilize it, I think the roots must have been too puny to support your tree in the ground. Since you got it from the arbor foundation, I believe I have a good chance of being right about this. Pot it up and keep it in a shady spot if you want it to recover. Keep it moist but draining. It might leaf out again if the roots aren't dead. Otherwise, tell them they sent you a broken plant and get a new one. This time, keep it in a large pot in high shade until it really gets going.

#2 Wait and see what happens when the plant grows out a little in a clean state.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:270869}}

If it is a boxelder bug that wouldn't explain where they came from for us. We have never had them in our area before.

update, some of the nymphs have grown and now do resemble the pictures of the box elder bugs. which does make sense because they are everywhere.
thanks again :)

btw, odd that they tell you to plant a tree in full sun and then it dies because it was there :P