help, help! Holly dying.

[honeycomb]

Has anyone had problems with growing a holly tree?

I bought a Cardinal Red Holly tree last fall and planted it in early November. It was the prettiest thing.

Now it isn't that brilliant holly-green all over like it was when I bought it. The ends of the leaves are brown, with as much as 50% of each leaf brittle and brown. What green is left on the tree is a dull, pea green.

The poor thing looks so sickly. I could just cry. I was so excited to have a holly tree in my yard, and now it looks half dead.

Does anyone know what could be causing this?

[Newt]

Hi Honeycomb,

Some thoughts that come to mind are too much water, not enough water, planted too deep, too much mulch or a disease such as Phytophthora Root Rot. Did the tips of the leaves turn yellow before they turned brown? Also check for spider mites. Here's a couple of sites that have info on diseases and pests of holly. See if any of this fits.
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1087/ANR-1087.pdf
http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC2055.htm

Here's some info on tree roots, planting depth and mulching.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/WO017
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/Garden/02926.html
http://www.tlcfortrees.info/planting%20depth.htm
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/planting/nosoil.htm
http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/mulching.asp

Don't hesitate to write back with your findings or lack of.
Newt