Question
I planted a Laurel oak that was in a pot . it was about 12ft and healthy I waterd it and now it seems to be turning brown and losing it's leaves ithas been planted for about 2to3 weeks is it dying or is this normal?

Answer
This is about the worst time of the year to plant a tree. The heat and dry weather are a major problem. The proper method would have been to wait until the Fall or early next spring.

The tree is going through a shock. The soil surrounding the tree is acting like a wick and absorbs the water from the root ball. If you have not done so I would mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch not piled up on the trunk. Pine straw is good. This will help hold moisture around the roots. Then water with 1 inch of water--place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop. Do this every third day for a couple of weeks and then every fourth day for a couple of weeks then once a week until the hardwood trees drop their leaves.

Do not fertilize the tree for the first year and next spring water one a week unless it rains. This winter if the ground is not frozen (did not say where you were located) check the soil around the tree and if it is dry down a couple of inches I would water.

The stress from the planting caused the leaf drop and you may get some branch dieback but it should be ok next spring.