Pink Dogwood Leaves turning brown and red Is it dying?

In mid-September, we purchased a 16 foot high, pink dogwood (fully green and leafed-out) off of Craigslist. The couple dug it out for us with a fair-sized root ball. We planted it in a large hole under 2 fir trees, with yellow rhododendrons on either side. It gets lots of light, and it has been fairly cool out since we planted it.

We gave it Root Booster, mixed into water, a couple of time, and ensured it was watered when it did not rain.

It immediately had droopy leaves, and within two days, the top leaves were browning. The leaves are now mainly a beautiful red color, and are not falling off (only a handful have actually fallen off)

Is this coincidental because it is Fall? I realize that dogwoods are quite sensitive and would rather not be transplanted, but I REALLY wanted one (especially of this size, so I can screen my neighbors' unkempt backyard) I sincerely hope that we have not killed it.

Will it come back in the Spring? I realize that it probably will not flower in the first year, but I would hate to think that we put so much effort into a dead tree.

PS - I have done a scratch test on the bark, and there is still green under the outer bark.

 

Deciduous stock is usually not dug in leaf, as the leaves are apt to shrivel in response to cutting of the roots. However, it sounds like your tree is not dead.

 

Here's hoping! Only time will tell on this one, I think.