Today me and my friend dug up a small japanese maple seedling (only 2 feet tall) that we found in some woods nearby my house. It was a bit difficult to dig it up without killing all of the roots but eventually we brought it home and put it in a pot with gardening soil. It has now been about 2 hours since we dug it up and all the leaves are wilting. I brought it inside and watered it, then I put it under a bright light. Now I am wondering: Is my plant dying? Or is it just in shock because I transplanted it? If anybody has any advice thay would like to share that would be great!
It's probably in shock. I would not put it in bright light. Keep it in shade or bright shade until it gets some time to recover. After a few weeks, slowly move it into morning sun and afternoon shade. Protect it from frost. If it loses its leaves, but the harder wood stems still remain a healthy color, new buds will form and it will leaf out in a month or two. Do not allow the soil to dry out and consider using pine bark mulch (not shredded, but chips of mulch). Good luck!
