Whatever you do, don't soak it in the sink, don't immerse it, and unless you're only watering your aralia once a month, I can't believe it's still alive either! Whoever told you to dunk plants/trees to water them is all wet :-). You water from above, like nature, just do it enough so it comes out the drain hole and you'll know all roots had a drink. Both your trees dislike being watered too often, though how often to do it will depend on how dry the top inch or so gets how quickly, and not knowing what soil mix you have, it's hard to say, but the mix should be fast draining - you don't want rotting roots. I absolutely suggest you read up on Ficus, Aralia and bonsai however - a good place to start would be "Bonsai4me.com - species guide near the top, then Ficus, because you can't treat them like house plants and bonsai is not something you learn in 3 easy steps... a lifetime is more like it! Yes you may reduce the leaves, but again, until you know more, do nothing. Don't water on schedule, but when a fair amount of soil has dried... watering a half sodden tree will kill it faster than anything. And water slowly - don't just dump a glass in there. And... all that stuff you've seen about pruning, etc... they should explain that when it's done it's done for a reason, not just because it's a 'bonsai'. Something else for you to investigate! Have fun. This post was edited by moochinka on Sun, Sep 28, 14 at 19:38

"They used a bobcat with pallet forks to lift the tree." If they did this without any protection between the bark and the fork lift, I wouldn't believe anything they said after that. The bottom line is the tree is no longer the same one you bought and you paid for a professional install (especially with the size of those wounds). I'd definitely get it replaced. And do what lazy gardens suggested, tell the manager.

Probably needs more water. Its still in its original pot or box rootball..and the surrounding soils wick water fast from it. Dig a well around it and deep soak it. That and warmer temps should snap it out of its funk.

What killed the oak? Do you know? It matters because it can have an effect on how your replacement plantings fare. The main thing about plantings around filtered swimming pools is that nothing be chosen that generates small parts liable to be sucked into filter intakes.