Seems a bit sudden. True enough, new transplants-as you suggest-do go through some adjustments, and this late in the growing season, it can be accentuated. Still, I'm concerned with the rapidity of the browning of that foliage. any other pertinent facts/history of that site?

+oM

It is a new construction home we just purchased earlier this year. Nothing else has been planted there. Maybe old trees that were cut down when developing the yard. the branches just under the bark appear to still be green as well.

The nursery that I purchased the tree from suggested adding a root stimulator and basically wait it out until the spring.

I agree with Ken - it IS a deciduous tree and it IS mid-November..........seasonal leaf drop is not unexpected and has very likely been accelerated by the transplanting. I'm not at all sure I'd be overly concerned.

I am located in Louisiana. I have seen a few in our neighborhood that have started to slightly change color. Those are much more mature trees being there around 10 years.

It was in the back of my truck for about 2-3 miles. I bought it on October 30. The tree seemed fine until I noticed this last night.

I teased the roots and filled with the soil I dug out. We received a lot of rain this weekend and the ground is still damp from the rain.

The only thing I did not due was water the tree immediately as we had just had a heavy rain for two days prior to planting.

Watering sounds about right. The ride home-something I forgot to ask you about, could have caused the rapid drying down of the foliage. Don't bother with any "root stimulators" or any other gizmos or potions. The plant already knows how to regenerate a root system. All it needs is time.

While some others here have immediately dismissed this as "normal fall leaf drop", it is obviously not so, having happened more or less over night. But the combo of the season and the ride home in the wind could account for it. finally, look at the ends of the twigs for buds. If the buds are present and hard and full of sap, not dried out and shriveled, the tree will most likely be fine next year.

+oM

You think it would have taken a week for this to happen after the ride home? The leaves were green until sometime yesterday it seems. It sat in rain during the first couple of days still in the container before planting last week.

I will check the ends of the twigs. Thanks for all of the help.

sss, I mis-read, or to be honest, glossed over that part. No, I don't think there would be a delayed reaction of that sort from the ride home. As such, I have to amend my earlier statement, that this is most likely simple fall leaf drop, compounded by transplant stress. But do check the buds. Oaks have clusters of buds and they should be clearly visible. Viable buds, as I said earlier, are plump, hard, and full of moisture. Dead buds would be dry and flake away easily in the fingers. I'll bet yours are ok.

+om

well it is fall, however still could have been caused by transplant shock, those trees get HUGE it seems to be in a bad spot

Why do you say that, Logan? Looks to me like future shade for the kids in the yard.

+oM

wisconsitom(Zone 4/5), yes they provide lots of shade but they make huge messes and can be hazardous if pruned incorrectly I had a giant one fall down one time and I cut the other one down before it could fall but it is personal preference whatever you like

Willow Oaks do seem to drop their leaves much more rapidly than their close relatives (Water and Laurel Oaks), which shed leaves until January.

Must admit, I know next to nothing specifically about this species. But all trees-and certainly all oaks-have their ability to grow large, and to be mangled by poor practice. That last bit is no reflection on the tree. I'd not want my kid's sandbox under a silver maple that had been poorly maintained, if you get what I'm saying.

+oM

I'm not sure about Louisiana, but most Willow Oaks (Q. phellos) here are mostly defoliated. The transplanting might have sped it along, but I wouldn't worry a bit. It's November 12, after all, and your tree is an oak that is never evergreen in any scenario I've ever seen (unlike Q. laurifolia or virginiana).

ssstiger26, how is your willow oak doing now? Did it come back around in the spring?

Carol in Jacksonville