i would have cut it.. and potted it.. in fall when leafless ...

you do not mention how big the plant is .. to compare your wad of roots to size of plant ...

its transplant shock ... plus cutting off mommas giant root mass ...

if you perfect water ... it might releaf ...

keep it in full shade ...

ken

"keep it in full shade" - Agree.

Keep the mix moist.

After fall and temps have constantly been dropping and where temps have been in the 30's/40's for more than a month & when/if snow/freezing weather occurs, bring the plant inside for the winter but either in a non-heated basement or into a garage. The tree will have met dormancy requirements after *at least three weeks*. You being in zone 7 - your garage is an ideal place (can't be heated) to store it.

Dax

Thank you :) Hope it makes it. I will shade it and hope for the best. The branches are not dry and still pliable so it doesn't seem to be dying yet. We have a big maple tree in the back of our yard next to our shed. I'll put it under there for now. Is it totally necessary to garage it over the winter?

I forgot to mention the branch is pretty big. About 6-7 feet, I had to stake it. The root ball (fist size) is fairly small compared to the branch. Which is why I cut and potted it trying to increase the size of the root ball. I was trying for an instant tree.... Maybe not the greatest idea. Hahaha :)

River Birch Update.

I was just outside checking on the new tree. I ended up put it partially shaded in back of it's mother tree a week ago. I made sure to keep the soil in the pot moist. So far so good. All branches are still alive and it is starting to leaf out again. Lots of little green buds on the branches! :D