Did you make it there ok? How was the weather? just relax :-) Lucy

Thanks everyone! Nil, it does look a lot like your blimey limey. Yes the colouration is different, however i'm in Australia, so that could explain it :-) I got to the point yesterday where I threw my hands up and declaired it a hybrid lol. I think the flowers will be very telling, I have to admit I'm getting impatient though, they have been like that for weeks! Thanks again everyone, I'll be sure to post pics when the big day finally comes!

I suggest that you perform a skewer / dowel test. Insert and remove and feel of the skewer / dowel is wet or dry. I can't get away with 3 day interval here in Danville... every two days minimum in June-July-August. [trees are in the ground 2 years] I just went through this drama with my yard. I was doing the good civic duty of minimizing water use - bare minimum due to the drought - and while i was away on an extended trip got a surprise week of 90-100 (this was back in May). Yellow tips, leaf drop, cupping - the whole bit. I doubled the water and my Okitsu re-leafed within a month. The Owari took a month longer. The roots got toasted so i can't blame them. I always cheer water sprouts now :-) Having said all that, your pictures show that the roots are not happy.... and symptoms of too much water are very similar to too little water. Good luck, - George

As you have said yourself, a likely candidate is drought injury. Local Cooperative Extension office may be able to assist.