Dig around the roots, down at least 6". If it's dry, WATER it! Under a slight overhang, it may not be getting much, if any of the rains - depending on the direction of the wind. It's one of the aggravations of planting - the nice, sheltered places are so often also the ones that need a little extra attention paid to them to be sure all is well. I would keep a close eye on the soil at the roots of the Sun Gold, and make sure it stays as evenly moist as you can - let the top inch or 2 dry out and then soak it. Don't water on a set schedule, but rather according to how dry the ground is when you stick a finger into, it to the second knuckle. Of course if it is soggy around the roots, when you check, then you may actually have to provide for better drainage, but that's not too likely to be the problem.

Probably killed by the bare-rooting or something about how they were handled since didn't work. As a side note don't amend or replace planting hole backfill when planting large-growing, long-lived plants like trees and shrubs. Always refill hole with same soil that came out of it. Do apply an organic mulch like wood chips after planting. Keep it away from the stem(s).

Thanks Ken, im in Long Island, NYâ¦zone 7.I bought 4 of these just over 8 weeks ago(mid April).They were planted a few days later by a professional landscaper.Temperayures were in the 60s.Big ball and burlapâ¦they opened the burlap, removed the ropes.Soil is clayâ¦.so drainage is an issue.I put drips on these immediately, so they wouldnt stress(ha).Ive fertiized them with a bit of 18-24-12.The weather has been pretty wet for a while. I agree about the transplant shock, but also suspect something a little more insidious!(fungus)â¦They were beautiful when i bought themâ¦Incidentally, i bought these trees at a nursery had the great deals(6 twelve foot River Birchâ¦5 diedâ¦.(6 skyrocket juniperâ¦.4 died) the only stuff that looks good is from Bizon on the west coast, and i know they root prune.I believe these "nootkas" were from Bizon..but not positive.

conifers are trees.. things happen in tree time.. and that is counted in years.. even decades ... as such.. this has little to do with your planting ... interior yellowing and browning is cyclical and normal ... it is increased by many stresses.. including.. drought.. bad winter.. digging .. shipping.. transplanting ... etc ... sooo.. your plant is stressed .. without doubt ... water it properly.. for two years at least ... to get rid of stress ... focus on new growth.. to seecurrent stresses.. if that is doing ok.. then you are on your way .. if and when new growth looks bad.. is when you worry ... most burlap is treated to rot rather quickly ... so there is no need to dig them out... but above soil burlap ... will stay to dry to rot quickly.. and... it can wick water from deeper in the soil .. and dry such below grade ... so take a razor blade.. pull the soil back an inch or two.. and get rid of anything you can see ... including any twine ... water deeply ... dig small 3 to 6 inch holes until you can figure how to do it in YOUR SOIL ... let it near dry and inch down or so ... and then water deeply again ... and a good mulch will help lengthen the period between waterings .... trees love drainage.. and that is a function of the drying periods.. most do not prefer to sit in water.. roots need air.. as much as water ... welcome to the forums.. always mention where you are.. big city name.. so we can have some inkling on ambient weather .... again.. what i see in the pic is VERY minor.. considering what the plant has been thru since it was in the growers field ... so dont panic ... just water properly and remove the burlap you can see ... and if you had these professionally installed.. just mention it all to your installer ... just in case you need to go back later with deeper concerns ... finally.. a pic of the whole plant might help ... below is a general primer on the whole process.. including proper watering and mulching ... ken https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub