Vibernum losing leaves

Question

I just had my landscape company in plant a viburnum 6 days ago. The last six days were hot and dry so I was watering it daily. It was healthy and beautiful and now overnight it lost half of its leaves. The root ball itself came wrapped in burlap and the ball itself was mostly clay. Should we have loosened the roots? Should I be watering it more or less often, and is this strictly transplant shock or should I have concerns that this brand new tree is going to die?

Answer 1

Have you contacted your landscape company? I would in case it needs to be replaced. Most planted trees have a guarantee.

It's probably transplant shock. I would back off on the daily watering, though. That is OK for the first week or so, but now just water deeply a couple times a week till the roots are established.

The burlap should have been removed entirely if it was synthetic. Even if it was natural, the top of the burlap should be opened.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/ball-burlap-tree-planting.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/viburnum/viburnum-shrub.htm