Newly Planted Homestead Elm Yellowing: Heat Shock and Overwatering

Homestead elm planted 7 days ago in Northern KY (100°F daily). Watered deeply daily; soil mucky under mulch. Leaves yellowing/dropping. Planted 12 inches high with 3-ft berm.

Issues

1. Transplant shock + extreme heat = leaf drop.
2. Overwatering: Soil should be moist like wrung sponge, not mucky. Saturated soil → root rot, impaired uptake.
3. Planting height: 12 inches high is excessive. Current practice: root flare slightly above grade. Berm ok, but don't regrade now.

Sign of Life

Yellow→brown→drop = healthy stress response. Brown leaves clinging = dead tree.

Action

Scale back watering. Leave tree as-is. Don't fertilize.