No they're not dead. But they are scruffy. Things that can make them miserable are dry roots, cold winds and poor planting including failure to water thoroughly after planting. Investigate whether the soil is moist. Planting in summer is not a great idea if you live somewhere with hot and dry summers. Where are you located?

Very robust trees, looks alive to me. Having mine removed here in Zone 7a/b NJ, too big, too fast. I can't get out of my driveway anymore.

Thanks. I’m in zone 7 too. Planting time wasn’t ideal but we didn’t have a choice unfortunately. We got a line of them for privacy.

Where in Zone 7 are you, my zone 7 winter was a non event. Yeah, just expect a bush bigger than you might like, unless you have the SPACE, in a humid Zone 7 plus, they are very robust!