I doubt there was a good rootball. If it's warrantied, you should get another or your money returned.

That green at the bottom is a bud growing from the rootstock that it was grafted to (a seedling) and is not 'Cessarini' so it should be clipped off.

I wouldn't cut off the dead if you plan on returning it so they can see what's occurred.

Dax

based on this pic.. i am not even sure its picea pungens...

but that could be the pic ...

there is a conifer forum ... i wonder if joy comes here to ID conifers???

ken

Another picture. Its getting worse day by day. And the needs are falling some brown and green. Branch is curling up.

This is a front view. This tree is not planted too deep the root ball is accessible 2 inches from the dirt.