The first picture shows the two Eastern Hophornbeams in early July 2021 - for an unknown reason they suddenly lost most of their leaves in late June. The second picture shows the healthy Eastern Hophornbeams in early July 2020.
Leaf detail from early June 2020.
I purchased two seedlings of Eastern Hophornbeam from Mail Order Natives and they arrived in small plugs of earth. I planted them at the back of the yard on November 9th 2019. One of them still had fresh green leaves and the other one had dry shriveled leaves.
In late February 2020, one of the Hophornbeams was starting to leaf out (left). By mid March, quite a lot of leaves.
The seedlings were still doing well in early April 2020.
Although the seedlings are producing vigorous sprouts, the older lower leaves are developing severe rusty colored anthracnose - I sprayed with Daconil in an attempt to stop the spread. In June 2021, both of these trees suddenly lost all their leaves and died. No idea why, as it was not flooded nor particularly dry.