Question: I think I over-watered my new shade tree. It grew very well until August, then it suddenly lost all of its leaves. It’s about 12 feet tall, and it has a 3-inch diameter trunk. It was balled-and-burlapped when it was planted last spring. What should I do now?

Answer: If you think about what this tree went through earlier in the year, losing probably 90 percent of its important feeder roots in the transplanting, then encountering three moths of scorching Texas summertime, you’d realize it just ran out of gas. It would be quite difficult to overwater any tree in August. Many people blame themselves for this exact situation, when, in reality, it’s just the transplant shock taking its final toll. If you have a guarantee, you should consider talking with the nurseryman.