Scratch the bark if you can with a finger nail and if it's green, it is alive. I live in
Texas and still have to be aware of drought in winter. We've had very little rain this
year. I believe we've had 20 inches all year. Trees and shrubs can survive, but I'd
prefer they thrive. Making sure you deeply water newly planted trees for the first few
years is imperative. I continue to water mine about ten feet in and out of the drip line
on mature specimen trees. On smaller trees I planted within the last several years, I
water at the drip line very slowly, all year. If your region freezes (the soil I'm
talking about) I would recommend a very deep watering a week or so before the first
expected frost date, and if it warms up again, another deep watering before winter...if
you live in a drought condition as I do.


On Mon, 8 Dec 2003 03:36:42 +0000 (UTC), Ablang
opined:

I have 2 Tupelos I got this year from a shade tree program. 1 is
bigger than the other. The smaller one had all of its leaves fall off a
few weeks ago, while the other one (bigger) still has most of its leaves,
although a bit less green.

Is the smaller one dead if it sheds all of its leaves?