Many Palm and Cycad species don't take particularly well to root pruning, which is a requirement when growing via the "pot in ground" method. If you ever read about a particular species being very sensitive to transplanting, then it may not tolerate seasonal root pruning too well either. But root pruning is much less traumatic than a transplant, if done carefully using a sharp tool. The advantage to burying pots and letting some roots escape is that you will often get a surge in growth that season. One trick is to make holes along the sides only, not on the bottom of the pot. When it comes time to dig them out, it's easier to slice through the roots on the side with a shovel than to pull out a pot with roots growing directly down. x

A. mollis 'Latifolius'.

At this time of year, perfectly normal. Probably the worst time of year you could select for tree planting. Your tree has transplant shock. Just keep it properly watered and you should be OK, providing the rootball itself was thoroughly hydrated before planting. If not, I'd dig, rehydrate properly, then replant. If your current weather is warm and dry, I'd bump up that watering frequency to at least 2 times a week, soaking the planting area thoroughly and deeply each time. Next time, do NOT plant trees in August, do NOT amend the planting hole (whatever soil comes out goes back in without additions) and do NOT add bonemeal or any other fertilizer at planting time. Nurseries often give out very poor and outdated planting advice.

agree on the first pic.. but the second almost looks different ... at the fence edge ... thank a bird for the pre-fertilized seed .. lol .. ken