Hey everyone, looking for some expert input because I’m getting mixed signals on what’s happening with my newly planted arborvitae.

Context:
	•	Location: Staten Island, NY (Zone 7)
	•	Trees: Emerald Green Arborvitae (plus some Leyland Cypress + Blue Spruce in the yard)
	•	Age: Recently planted — about 5–6 weeks ago
	•	They looked perfectly green for the first month.
	•	Suddenly in the last 2 weeks, the top leaders on several trees have browned/dried out.

Symptoms:
	•	Top leaders are bending over and turning brown/tan
	•	Bark on the leaders looks scraped or peeled in some places
	•	Transition from green → brown is sudden, not gradual
	•	Side foliage below the leader is still healthy and fully green
	•	No bagworms, no mites (checked), no obvious cankers
	•	Soil moisture is moderate (not waterlogged)
	•	Some trees were planted near newly poured concrete footings, but I don’t think that’s the cause

Watering:
	•	Initially inconsistent (allowed to dry a bit)
	•	Currently watering deeply 1–2×/week
	•	Mulch adjusted to about 2–3 inches

Questions:
	1.	Does this look like leader damage from handling/transport/planting,
OR delayed transplant stress / early winter desiccation?
	2.	If it was mechanical damage, would symptoms appear immediately or can they take 5–6 weeks to show?
	3.	Should I prune back the dead leader now or wait until spring?
	4.	Will a new leader naturally form or should I stake/train a side shoot?
	5.	Any chance these need to be replaced by the installer?

Are my Emerald Greens toast?