A: I’ve seen many instances of new redbuds doing this. If it hasn’t leafed out by now, sadly, the top part of the tree is dead.

Here’s a worthwhile experiment! Rather than digging the tree up, cut the dead part out entirely. Allow one to three of those ‘suckers’ coming from the base of the tree to stay, and remove the others. These will each eventually form a trunk, and as they get heartier, choose the strongest one. And take good care of the tree by keeping it mulched, giving it consistent moisture in the hot, summer months, and fertilizing at the proper rates and times.

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