Probably the original root mass that was inside the pot at planting time has dried out and is not re-wetting fully when you are watering*. Try leaving a hose to dribble slowly on the top of that for awhile, see if this procedure puts a stop to the wilting.

Do you have it mulched? Bare soils can be 20 degrees F. hotter during sunny weather than mulched ones.

If slow soaking doesn't work than dig it up and plunge the root mass into a container filled with clean water, leave it there until it stops bubbling. After a good soak it will be as heavy as it can be - but that can't be helped. Lifting the tree and replanting it will also enable you to address your concern about air pockets.

When replanting do not do anything that will result in compressed or compacted soil being immediately next to the tree. Replant into a wide, shallow hole filled with loosened, aerated soil - the same soil that came out of the hole (no peat, bark, sand etc. having been added to the back-fill). If there are clods that might cause large air pockets crumble those before putting them around the tree. Of if there is enough soil of the desired particle size, leave the clods out of the hole. Along with any large rocks and sticks etc. that may be present.

*Prevention of such issues is why bare-rooting at planting time is being recommended in recent years. But I wouldn't bare-root a spruce right in the middle of it making new growth, in June - you will just have to be diligent about keeping the original root mass moist all summer, until the existing roots extend out well into the soil around them this fall.

I am sure it must have air pockets.

==>>> really ... how do you know ...

where are you.. whats your native soil..

how did you plant it.. potted or ball and burlap ...

did you amend the soil ... did you do any root surgery ...

how tall is it.. can you rig up some shade ...

its hard to fathom.. a 5 gallon pot that has a root ball that is this heavy ...

does it recover every night .. and then wilt again ...

you need to take a hand shovel.. or tablespoon.. and go dig around and find out how wet it is ... NOT ONLY THE ROOT MASS.. BUT ALSO THE SURROUNDING SOIL ...

then we will now what is going on under there.. and be able to tell you what to do ...

see link on planting.. especially the part on proper watering ... which isnt jsut a shower ...

ken

https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub

I am in Milwaukee zone 5a. My husband dug a hole twice as big as the pot the plant was in. We were told to mix sure grow with the soil we took out of the hole. We used MYKE's to line the hole and bottom (3 cups) before we set the plant back in the dug out hole. He was tired and not used to firming in soil around a new planting, We did water half way through and them filled the hole, He did a great job on the 3 that came before this one.

I do know I have to do something about this problem. I am also sure it has air pockets, my question was how to best take care of the problem without lifting out this huge heavy tree. I think the answer is take it out and re do it. Thanks Embothrium!

First, 'Blue Shag' is a white pine and not a spruce. Second, do as embo says, put a hose on a trickle next to the trunk to be sure the root ball itself is hydrated and mulch around the plant. Once it is watered well, don't water again until the rootball is dry 3-4 inches down. Third, the end of May is already too late to plant a pine in our climes. And finally, air pockets will not cause this and would be a non-issue as most roots are not out that far beyond the rootball. Roots need air and the ground will settle before roots get there anyway.

tj

thank you for the clarification, tsugajunkie . I knew it was a pine, I don't know why I called it a spruce. I also bought a 'Montgomery' Spruce, green mountain box wood and a "Medora' juniper. I am going to go home after work and let the hose trickle.