It's best days are over...
Did you plant it B&B?

dig a hole.. near the root mass planted.. and you will find that it is bone dry done below the surface ....

you dont explain how you are watering ... but i suspect your are surface watering.. rather than deep soaking ...

if you have a warranty.. use it ...

joy suggests.. if BB.. that major roots were lost in the digging process .. prior to you getting it ....

good luck

ken

ps: dig same hole near other plants.. and FIND OUT... if there is moisture at depth .. if not.. put the hose on a trickle for an hour or two .. and then dig a new hole in a week or two ... do not water again.. until it is starting to dry at depth ...

pps: digging the holes .... forces you to learn about how water moves thru your soil.. rather than guessing .... ande after you do this a few times.. you will be WATERING PROPERLY ....

Yes it's kicking off and as big as it is it was certainly B&B.

It fate was sealed before you put it in the ground. The other one will probably kick when it warms up enough to stress it. Probably a better dig. Stay with it and watch your watering.

Happens every time. Just not enough root mass to feed foliage so it sloughs it off.

Appropriately named...very crispy if you read between the lines.

Sorry about you loss..

By smaller 1-3 gal. potted size for positive results for these cultivars.

Dave

Yep, B&B. Thanks for the advice. I'll do a little more investigating in to the water situation. I've planted a number of other 5-6' evergreens that were B&B without any problems. Is starting with a tree that size normally more difficult or just with this cultivar?

Definitely more difficult. A lot of foliage to feed with just 10% of the root mass left after the dig.

Large Chamaecyparis obtusa ,what you have, in B&B have a low survival rate. It's all in the roots and what's left. If root ball is compromised, broken by mishandling, is another factor that will insure its demise. Always check for that if buying B&B.

With receipt in hand return it.

Dave