Yes, we are Sunset 3B here.... The sunshine on most days and temps in summer is the reason so much agriculture grows successfully here. Of course, they irrigate. I am surprised Wenatchee is the same zone as us, but I guess it doesn't take into account the amount of snowfall they get (They are probably the -15f extreme.. we are more like -5f.) RE: the suitability of the trees I listed, The Thornless Honeylocust seems to thrive here, it does well in alkaline soil and is drought tolerant. As a prairie tree, it thrives in full sun. I have noticed many honeylocusts in yards that do not irrigate, growing just fine... The list of negatives of the tree is pretty short, and it seems very adaptable to our conditions. Linden -- RE: irrigating, I don't know. We will have some lawn on the property, so a tree/trees in that area would get more water. Linden tolerates alkaline soil and has small leaves... Thus, it seemed to be an *option.* ash -- I still have to go to our local extension office.. I will ask them about borers here. Ash also tolerates alkaline soil and was another option for my lawn area. If the borers are that bad here, I won't consider it.

ark meant to say.. google LICHENS .. totally harmless.. UNLIKE THAT TORTURE STRAP YOU HAVE ON IT ??? whats that all about ... if its been in the ground for a year.. its time for free range if you want ideas on possible issues.. we need a pic of the whole ... and more facts.. ball and burlap.. potted.. how planted.. burlap removed.. amendments.. etc ... i especially want to know if its telephone poled.. can you see the root flare???? ??? .. and whats your native soil???? ken

Really all anybody who has not visited the site can offer is a range of general possibilities. Maybe this, maybe that. Try to figure out what might be different about the site conditions where the poorish one is. Different soil? Different care, such as it maybe being skipped when the others were mulched or fertilized?

We have two of these wonderful Maples. Ours took awhile to adjust and develop. We planted both in 2002 when they were about 8 feet tall. They grew very slowly while enduring both drought and deluge. The leaves were unspectacular for a couple of Autumns. This year we noticed a huge amount of growth. Over the past few weeks the leaves have turned a fiery red which can be seen 2 blocks away. Sounds like yours is just fine, just give it some time.