How did the roots look when you planted it? Was it container grown or dug with a clay rootball and put in a pot for sale?

tj

It looked container grown and it didn't look root bound. I loosened up the roots a bit before planting it and provided a hole that's 2x the diameter of the container. However, the soil in my yard definitely have more clay. Do you think moister is being retained in the soil and it's not draining fast enough so the plant is being drowned?

Oh that's a good point! I forgot big box stores tend to bury the root flare. It looks like the root flare was a bit buried and I'm seeing some roots above the root flare. Do you recommend clearing the dirt around the root flare to expose it a bit more and trimming some of the smaller roots that's above it and air exposed?

What is wrapped around around the trunk?

tj

It's some kind of paper tissue cardboard thing. It came from the store like that and I'm guessing it was winter wrapping. I wasn't sure if I should take it off yet or not.

Take it off. As for the roots, if the root flare is just below what you show you may be OK.

tj

Thanks! Really appreciate all your help!

can we have a pic of the whole plant ... is it on a standard???

It's been shaped as Pom poms

Looks to be quite out in the open. In our climes the biggest enemy of these is winter sun and wind. You may need a burlap shelter around it come late fall or you’ll see much more browning come next spring.

tj

Does look like cold damage

I agree, this area is a new development there really isn't much to protect anything around here. It is close to the fence so it has at least a little protection. I do plan on burlap sheltering everything in my yard this winter since everything is new.