The tree has been dug up and pruned down to the live leaves, of which it had
more then I first though. it is in a gallon plastic pot.

That is awfully small. Why don't you put it in the ground?
Iris,
Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming
train."
Robert Lowell (1917-1977)