Yes, I have been warned about bringing home a tree in a truck or car without covering the leaves. They get wind burn. Maybe it is that. I planted a redbud about a week ago. It is not as large as yours. I've had no problem with the leaves. It seems happy in its new spot. I don't know what the problem is with yours, but I would return it and start over with another. Their return policy is so generous, why not? Remember to protect it on the way home this time!

My sister just called me with a similar problem with the phoebe nest on her deck. The first thing that came to my mind was the cowbird. I'm surprised that no one has mentioned this notorious brood parasite. Even though the cowbirds most common host is the yellow warbler, the brown-headed cowbird often targets Eastern phoebes for its host. I've actually seen female cowbirds egg-dump phoebe nests. It's an extremely fast process. Now before people have evil thoughts towards the brown-headed cowbird, I have to say this: it's not the cowbirds fault... Cowbirds evolved following roaming buffalo herds around, and therefore developed a breeding strategy (brood parasitism) that allowed them to do so. The cowbird used to be an uncommon species here in the northeast, but during the 17 and 1800s almost all forests were cut down for farmland. Since cowbirds are an open spaces/prairie species, this is the perfect habitat for them. They also like edge habitat (powerlines, forest edges etc.) So, I told my sister to keep watching the nest for a cowbird chick. The young, a week or two along, should be larger, louder and healthier by far than the others. It's more agressive behavior as a nestling makes it sure that it gets fed at the expense (often fatal) of the others. So if the young in a nest all look and sound the same, chances are it "cowbird-free."

Indeed. Now I hear them singing with windows and doors open and I know! :) Dax

Congrats. They are such good bug hunters and fun to watch. Just love my Phoebes. I've had them nest in my old open shed every year for 12 years. Now a tree fell on the shed and we built a new one so I keep the doors closed. I put some nesting shelves up so I hope they still come back! Cathy