Ash tree dying after transplant, help?

Question

i transplanted a 4 foot tall ash tree i got most the roots but had to cut off the bottom tap root cause i couldn't dig any deeper, i dug a new hole watered it and poured root stimulator in the soil, but now a day later the leaves seem to be drying up and dying, did i kill it or will it come back, what are the chances it will live

Answer 1

Its in transplant shock.  Keep it watered. Mulch around the new hole if you haven't done so already.  It will help to maintain moisture better than the dirt.  

Answer 2

If the tap root was cut, it will have a hard time.  It's in transplant shock.  Transplant shock is all about water loss.  A tree in shock will often "jettison" its leaves to converse what water it can.

Water as usual for a transplant, and you'll just have to wait and see if it leafs-out next spring.

In the future - know that digging up a tree for transplanting in the summer is the absolute worst time of year to try it, with the lowest success rate.  Best time is after it goes dormant in the fall, or early in the spring before it gets its new growth.