What happened to it? Has it been getting rammed with a lawn mower or weed whacked?

Here is a link that might be useful: Don't whack it

is it still in the pot???

frankly ... its a goner.. how long that takes i dont know ...

was it a grafted tree ...???

replace it.. if you want a healthy tree ...

ken

A variety of abortion analogs visible here: As already asked, still in pot? Planted way too deep. Banged by mower or sumpin,

When you're ready to plant something that will actually have a chance to not only survive, but also to thrive, hit us back. We'll walk you through it. That's junk.

+oM

If it were mine I'd consider it a goner.

The other problem is that small dings from the nursery can turn into big things in five years.

Rule of thumb is to never buy trees with obvious injuries, butchered pruning, signs of insect damage.