In May 2023 we planted three 8 ft ball and burlap yew trees. We were careful to follow all advice and instruction from our landscapers, arborists and plant nurseries. We did not bury too deep, leaving the root crown slightly elevated. The soil is sandy and drains well. We mulched with hardwood mulch, being careful not to smother things too close to the root crown. We applied a root stimulator. We watered regularly with volume and frequency determined by the size of the trunk. We also watered slowly directly by the tree trunk seeing as being "ball and burlap" the root structure was cropped and severely confined to the immediate perimeter just below and inside the canopy. The trees did drop a lot of needles in the beginning but in spite of the dry summer they survived well and even put on uniform new growth. Heading into winter we continued to water regularly. The trees are planted on the north side of a 6 ft fence so they are well shaded. However, because of the dry winter and in order to avoid sun scald we were advised to wrap the yews in burlap. This we did . When the spring ground thawed we resumed regular watering. The trees responded with vigorous new growth spurts and we thought all was going well. That's when our dry winter became our wet spring. Shortly after one particular deluge in which we got almost 2 inches of rain in one day we noticed a lot of interior needle yellowing. Other yews in the neighborhood, some much more established, showed similar yellowing. A tree nursery consult suggested that they are now getting too much water and are stressed or too little water and are stressed. Given the heavy rains, most likely too much. They advised pulling back some mulch and to stop supplemental watering. We did that but the heavy rains have continued. The yellowing continues. I am not worried about the trees dying; they just seemed stressed. But I AM perplexed as to how to continue to care for them; specifically, watering. They are still "new" transplants that at 8 ft underwent a pretty radical root chop by being "ball and burlap". I was told it can take up to 7 years before such a transplant might be free and clear. About watering: When first planted the entire root structure was confined to the area wrapped with burlap. The circumference of the root ball was less than that of the surrounding tree canopy, such that even heavy rainfalls did not penetrate the thick yew canopy very well and fell outside the perimeter of the root ball. That's why we continued to water directly alongside the trunk; so that water could actually get to the roots. Natural rainfall saturates the ground outside the canopy but I'm not sure just how much water gets to the roots. Ideally, I would like to think the roots will seek out water on their own and start to branch out beyond the canopy where they can benefit from future rains. But after just one year with a droughty first summer and a dry first winter I don't know how much traveling those roots have been able to do. I don't know if despite the heavy rain the roots are getting enough water or too much water. Do I continue to supplementally water? Should I only water outside the canopy perimeter to encourage those roots to reach out further? The soil close to the tree trunk feels moist/ damp but it seems well drained and is not saturated. I'm just not sure how to adjust my watering with what mother nature is contributing. Will there be a point at which I can just let the trees be on their own?