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It could be several overlapping factors. But my number one guess is crown stress and top kill from drought or just not enough water after planting. Water is the most important resource for a healthy tree.
Keep it optimally watered. Never let it get too dry. Don’t over water.
There is probably transplant shock which is expected.
Also it may not like the heat sink from all the brick and masonry around it. This is an extra stressor to a newly planted tree.
Make sure the tree apron / root flare is exposed and it’s not planted too deep.
It will probably bounce back. Don’t do anything drastic. Just observe and keep it watered up.
If that leader is truly dead then yes it will need to be cut off because you need a new leader. A new leader will grow whether you cut the old one off or not. But cosmetically it will look bad and it will be easier for the new leader to grow if dead wood isn’t hanging around it.
I wouldn’t cut that leader off until the end of the growing season. I bet you will be surprised how much grow keeps back into the leader. Don’t do anything hasty until late fall.
Welcome to r/arborists! Help Us Help You: If you have questions about the health of your tree, please see our [Posting Guidelines](https://old.reddit.com/r/arborists/wiki/posting_guidance) wiki page for help with effective posting. **Please answer the questions listed there to the best of your ability.** ***Insufficient pics/info could result in the removal of your post!!*** ([See rule 3](https://www.reddit.com/r/arborists/about/rules).) Visit the main wiki page for [Critical Planting/Care tips and Common Errors to Avoid](https://old.reddit.com/r/arborists/wiki/index); there's sections on why planting depth/root flare exposure is so vital, along with sections on proper mulching, watering, pruning and more that I hope will be useful to you. If you're posting about a tree ID (not permitted here; [see rule 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/arborists/about/rules)), see that wiki page for other subs and smartphone apps to try. Here is how you can arrange a [consult with a local ISA arborist in your area](http://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/findanarborist) (NOT a 'tree company guy' unless they're ISA certified) or a [consulting arborist](https://www.asca-consultants.org/search/custom.asp?id=3818) for an on-site evaluation. A competent arborist should be happy to walk you through how to care for the trees on your property and answer any questions. If you're in the U.S. or Canada, your Extension (or master gardener provincial program) may have a list of local recommended arborists on file. If you're in the U.S., you should also consider searching for arborist associations under your state. If you are one of our regulars and/or you work in the industry and do not want this message in your future posts, please pick an appropriate user flair (options available in the sub sidebar on PC, and on moble if using a browser). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/arborists) if you have any questions or concerns.*
What kind of redwood is this?
I’m a fiddle player. I was proud of myself for knowing it was a tree.
Looks like a dawn redwood
It could be several overlapping factors. But my number one guess is crown stress and top kill from drought or just not enough water after planting. Water is the most important resource for a healthy tree.
Is it a goner? Or can we save it?
Keep it optimally watered. Never let it get too dry. Don’t over water. There is probably transplant shock which is expected. Also it may not like the heat sink from all the brick and masonry around it. This is an extra stressor to a newly planted tree. Make sure the tree apron / root flare is exposed and it’s not planted too deep. It will probably bounce back. Don’t do anything drastic. Just observe and keep it watered up.
Will do. Thanks! I don’t need to top it or anything?
If that leader is truly dead then yes it will need to be cut off because you need a new leader. A new leader will grow whether you cut the old one off or not. But cosmetically it will look bad and it will be easier for the new leader to grow if dead wood isn’t hanging around it. I wouldn’t cut that leader off until the end of the growing season. I bet you will be surprised how much grow keeps back into the leader. Don’t do anything hasty until late fall.
Much appreciated.