I planted eight in a row and they just partly started turning brown during the wetter winter here in Portland, oregon. It not even had a hard frost yet. We have one that has turned very brown and I am not sure if this is normal. I can not find any information about it. Any advise or information is very welcome. Thanks so much!
Curling up/drooping not good. Tree is almost certainly kaput. Unless standing in puddles dampness not likely to be an issue. Parent species local native, doing best on moist fertile soils - actually the climax tree in wetlands here, eventually forming groves consisting almost entirely of cedars where circumstances permit. Lack of water to the top much more likely the problem with yours. This can be due to excessive cutting of the roots at transplanting, or to being allowed to become too dry before or after planting. If planted with intact potting soil rootballs surrounding soil may have wicked away all the moisture. If planted with intact field soil rootballs these may have gotten dry on the inside while being transported and held before final sale. Re-wetting may be resisted once a fine-textured soil ball becomes dry inside, resulting in lingering dryness despite plenty of moisture being applied to the surface. The roots run the show, problems shown by the tops of plants very often due to something being wrong with the rooting environment. Start by poking around the root area to look for moisture problems. If these have intact potting soil or field soil rootballs dig around inside these when checking, don't just look at the outside or just below the surface.
