Pomegranate tree in NY (grown, trees, yard, spring)

[MomLookingToMove]

Hi all,
gardening newbie and looking for some help. Planted a Russian pomegranate tree in my yard two weeks ago. According to my research, russian poms will be okay in my area (long island). It is planted in a spot that gets full sun at least 5 to 6 hrs a day. However, since the two weeks it's been planted in my yard, it has not grown at all, and leaves are turning yellow and falling. I have read about transplant shock and hopefully that is what my tree is going through now. If it really is just transplant shock, when should I start seeing signs of growth? many thanks.

[EugeneOnegin]

The middle of summer is not the best time to plant things. Transplant shock is exacerbated by the intense sun and heat, that's why you should usually plant in the spring or fall.

Trees dropping leaves when transplanted is pretty normal though, and some trees like pomegranates drop leaves more readily than others. So, there's not necessarily anything wrong aside from it being planted at a bad time.

It could be getting too much water though. They don't like to be kept too wet, and a lot of people when they plant trees fill the hole with compost and overwater. Filling the hole with compost is not the best idea because water tends to pool in the compost/rootball area since it's light and loose compared to the hard native soil around it, creating a "bathtub effect." You should mix compost in with the native soil creating a more uniform medium for the roots to grow into with more consistent drainage.

Another concern with potted trees is that the roots also become highly tangled circling around a tiny pot. Before planting a potted tree you should inspect the root ball, and untangle the roots and do some pruning, if necessary, before planting or you can end up with a stunted root-bound tree.

Your tree should be fine though. I would just keep it mulched well (but not with the mulch touching the trunk) and don't let it dry out but don't over water either. Pomegranates are pretty tough trees, it should bounce back, though it's hard to say when.

[MomLookingToMove]

Thanks for the advice. After mulching and watering just once a week, I now some new growth! A very rewarding feeling!