I planted a 4' tall Chinkapin Oak in clay soil, in March 2021, and it has leafed-out, but it's unclear if it needs water.
The leaves are limp (please see pics), but I'm reluctant to water it because the limp leaves are both an indicator of too much and too little watering.
How do I determine if the tree should be watered?
I dug down 6-8 inches, retrieved a handful of soil/clay, and the soil/clay stays in a compact ball. Does that mean that the tree has enough moisture? Or, should I water the tree anyway?
Regards,
Craig
BTW: here's the Chinkapin Oak that was in the same spot last year...https://ask2.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=639548