Yes, it sounds like the tree may be stressed from lack of water and nutrients, two symptoms of being root bound in a small pot. First, soak the roots with water, then run a knife around the edge of the pot to loosen the roots. Then turn the pot upside down and tap on the bottom to get the plant to slide from the pot. Next, you will need to loosen the roots by slicing them with the knife and spreading them out a bit. Repot into a larger pot that has good drainage using a quality potting soil such as Osmocote or Miracle-Gro potting soil. This way you will know that the plant will have slow release fertilizer available when it recovers from the transplant. Don't let the soil dry out and expect some fresh new growth in the spring. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti