Question
I have 2 questions for you.  I purchased a weeping norwegian spruce a couple weeks ago.  It was already in bad shape when i bought it but i usually am good for buying half dead stuff and then bringing them back.  It had an almost bare part on one side with no needles and quite a few brown weeping branches.  I noticed yesterday that a pile of needles all the way around my tree on the ground.  We did have a bad storm and quite a bit of wind, but i didn't think it's common to lose needles like this.  Could it be in shock from planting it? What do you recommend?  I will start watering it daily to make sure it's getting enough water. Also, i have a thriving tiger eye sumac that is about 3 yrs old.  It is probably about 4 ft tall now with 3 seperate branches.  One branch is not sprouting at all.  The other two are thriving.  It has the furriness to it so i dont think it's dead... But i'm not positive?  What are your thoughts on this? I'm not sure if it's possible that it's behind?

Answer
Darcie:
Plants can often go through a transplant shock when planting plants that were in a container or B and B.  This can be very stressful.  Your plant may indeed be stressed at that time of planting.  Be careful about watering too much, as this can compound the issue and can create an anaerobic condition in the soil if it doesn't drain well.  I usually recommend a through watering at planting, then leave it along for a few days. Waiting a while should let you know if the plant is "going to make it".  If branches become brittle and needles drop extensively, this may indicate a too stressful condition.

On the sumac branch, using your thumbnail, gently scratch the bark off in a small spot on a couple of places on the branch.  Look for green beneath.  If brown beneath, this may indicate a dying branch.  Also, if the twig is flexible this can be a good sign too.

Regards
Steve