Water Oaks in Texas Drought: Adjust Watering, Expect Some Dieback

Current Regime Too Heavy

4 inches daily → waterlogged clay → root rot. Switch to 1 inch every 3rd day (pan method). Mulch 3 inches.

Expectations

Summer planting + heat = transplant shock. Brown leaves = shedding to balance root capacity. Continue corrected watering; new growth will appear when roots recover.