imo.. its an indication that your tree has finally grown enough roots to become established. and this year the whole tree should sprout like that...

i would let the tree do its own thing.. it will catch itself up...

i would also pull back the soil.. and find out where the root flare is ... the trunk is not supposed to be underground...

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=root+flare&t=ffab&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images

when a tree starts growing to specs.. dont screw it up... words to live by

i would NEVER fert that tree again .. if you did.. that also might be why you had explosive growth... imo.. trees in mother earth dont need fert .. though a soil test will tell you if anything is lacking form your soil.. which requires a soil amendment..

ken

Listen to Ken and deal with that root flare.

I double checked the root flare and I believe it is not too deep. I did have it professionally installed along with other trees and shrubs and was shocked at how high they planted everything. I am a new Georgia gardener and this clay seems brutal to me for new plantings. I miss my Michigan soil, Ken. I was a Lansing resident.

The only thing I did to the tree was put a bit of mushroom compost around it last year and nothing this year. No mulch close to the trunk.

I am finding shrubs and even perennials are taking longer to catch hold in this clay soil, plus my inexperience at the correct way to water.

I will takes Ken's and Cearbhaill's advice and leave it be. It seems happy so I will just leave my paws off of it.

Thank you for your advice.