You have done all you can do . It will likely recover and grow new leaves .

Thanks jerry63. That is what I am hoping. I also added two fertilizer spikes specifically made for fruit trees (either 10-10-10 or 10-5-5) to encourage the foliage to grow back. I appreciate the encouragement.

You should remove the spikes and let the tree concentrate on making roots.

The new leaves should come regardless.

Been there, done that. The tree will come back. Just make sure your tree does not dry out. Newly planted tree should be watered when the soil a bit dry. Do not overwater it, either. No need to push the vegetative growth with fertilizer.

I had the same thing happen to me regularly and the cages were really ugly that I had to put up. I hoped something less intrusive would work and I'm not a complete believer in liquid fence. I spray regularly and haven't had deer problem in 18 months. If I hadn't used it this spring my leaves would have been stripped clean but I can happily say they aren't being touched.

One recommendation is to buy a sprayer and a concentrated bottle and lightly spray the leaves. It's much better and easier than the small bottles that are available along with much less waste. Spray once a week for a month and then every few weeks after that! After a while the deer remember your place as somewhere that stinks.

Oh, one last method to share, used mostly against rabbits, small rodents and mice.

They had many Owl houses. He said one owl, feeding it's young, will dispatch seaveral rabbits and mice each night.

Barn owl house.