Question
I just had a multi river birch planted 4 days ago in Southern exposure (I live in Michigan).  The landscapers filled the planting bed with topsoil but not mixed with peat, this is a new development so  lot of topsoil was used.  On the day of installation it looked great.  I was told to put in a root stimulator so the next day I pored a gallon of the mix (3.5-4 tbs) around the tree root/trunk and watered it.  When I arrived home the next day, the bottom 75% of leaves were curled, and looked crispy and brownish.  So I attempted to drown it thinking it was too dry and hot.  Now the top leaves appear to be turning yellow but don't seem to be crisping up and the bottom leaves don't appear to be coming back alive.  What can I do to save my tree this season or is it too late?  Will this always happen even if I replace this one?  Please Help

Answer
This is not the best time to plant trees--normally in the fall or early spring is best. Sounds like it went through a normal shock--If you "drown it with water" I would say it got too much water. Trees need about 1 inch of water each week. I usually tell folks to put a pan under the tree whne watering and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop. The first thing to do is check and see if the tree is still alive. Start at one of the  top branches and scrape a small bit of bark off the branch--IF the color under the bark is green the tree is alive at this point on the branch. If it is green cut the watering back ot 1 inch per week and the tree should releaf. If the color is brown under the bark continue down the branch until you find green and prune the dead off. If it is brown I would consider having the nursery replace it (some of the nurseries quarentee the trees to live) BUT I would wait until fall and cooler weather.