Looks like the trees are short of water.

I assume you planted potted trees from the nursery. Dod you check the rootball of each tree before you planted. Often, potted trees are rootbounded, some so tight that water cannot penetrate. This results in a tree slowly drying out and dying.

Before you plant a potted tree, you should loosen up its rootball and spread the roots around in the planting hole. If the roots are so tight in one ball, return the tree. Watering depending on how dry your area is. More water may be needed for the first growing season. Too much or too little water can kill a tree.

Thank you for the input. It would make sense that the issue would be a lack of water, because I've been gone for a week and after coming back the tree looked the way it does now.

When I purchased the tree, I made sure to loosen the rootball, so I don't think that would be the issue.

I live in Virginia. How often and for how long should I water the tree?

Recently planted trees all require regular supplemental water for the first 2 years of their life. The idea is to trail off to the their normal requirement.

Apples, after they're established ( requires 2 to 3 years), need a healthy dose of water (rain or irrigation) monthly.

In my climate (the northwest) that means I must water through our dry summer months.)

Regularly watering the lawn is NOT enough for any tree.

Ok, thanks. So it sounds like everyday watering should do the trick.

No

you won't water daily, and probably very shallow, you want to water it about once a week with 2-3 buckets, if it is a small tree, applied in smaller doses over an hour or so.

you will want the water to percolate deeply,

that encourages the roots to reach down too

Agree with Linaria. Do not water bits and pieces everyday. Water deeply once a week if no heavy rain ( light rain is not enough).

If your soil drain very well and the summer is very dry, you may need to water more often than oce a week. mulch 3-5" thick will help the soil retain moisture. Mulch like a donut shape. Do not mulch up against the trunk.

Thanks for all of the help! I appreciate it!

The signs shown in the pictures were not from a young tree competing with larger tree. Although apple trees do better in full sun, partial shade esp. 5-6 hrs of sun won't kill it. It just is not as productive or fruitful.

It is definitely getting at least 5-6 hours of sunlight. Probably more like 7-8.

Plenty of sun to get your apple tree to produce.