Question
I recently got redbud trees dugout at a nursery. I realize summer digging is risky.  # redbuds were dugout. 2 look good one is leaves turning yellow. can this be because the tree is trying to conserve water?  will it lose its leaves and come back strong?  How will I know if it has no chance to survive and it dies? Thanks for your help.  vincent

Answer
The lack of water and the heat are the limiting factors for not planting in the summer months. hardwood trees will under go a shock when planted and will loose some of their foliage. Check to see if the trees are still alive by scraping a small bit of bark off an upper outer twig and if the color under the bark is green it is still alive if brown the twig is dead. If brown continue down the tree scraping at intervales unitl you find green. If there is green the tree will leaf back out--it may not this  year since it is so late in the season. I would continue watering them and they should be ok. If you have not doen so mulch around the trees with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch not piled up on the trunk. This will help hold moisture around teh roots.