the answer is the same ..no matter the plant .. you wait until they leaf out.. to determine what is dead... which means give them a month or two ... maine is correct.. for one with vast experience ... i use the default .. black mulch is a nightmare .. if there is no snow cover ... as it heats the soil.. in mid winter .. causing plants to go in and out of dormancy .... which is not good.. and that doesnt even contemplate august .. and what black mulch can do on 100 degrees days .. other than cook an egg on it ... if and when it comes time to mulch.. think long and hard about going without a color.. just go with the natural gray of dry old wood chips ... so.. in that equation.. if hot and dry last summer.. due to mulch.. then it went into a horrible winter ... in less than prime conditions .. so who is to tell what caused the problem??? .. if not all the variables ... all that said.. being next to the A/C makes it even worse ... with all that hot wind in the heat of summer.. they are also planted about 3 to 5 feet too close to the house... never forget.. plants are planted to HIDE the foundation.. not ON THE FOUNDATION ... these plants were planted.. as to siting.. as to the size they were in the pot.. like they would never grow again for the rest of their lives .... and they are close to a reflective wall.. when the heat is the highest in later afternoon and early evening.. on a west wall ... apparently they have been coping well for 8 years ... and something last summer ... fall. or winter did it.. my point being.. it might nall be winter damage .. though that is when the damage showed ... all that said ... i know you have the same fever i have.. but its just too early.. to make snap decisions ... just put down the pruning shears.. and step away .. lol .. ken ps: there isnt landscape fabric under the black mulch.. is there??? if so.. you might have water issues ...

If you unfurl the leaves, you may find webbing, or leaf roller . It protects itself and feeds on the leaves. I think it may form a caterpillar. If I find them, I squish the leaves and remove them. I hope you don't get more infestation. The few I have found on my roses, have not proliferated much. But of course, I do not know about your zone.

This the tree that produce about nine air layered. My question on this one is I reported it few days ago cut some of the roots. And now it looks like dying or maybe it just stress out from all the things I did to it. The tree is at least 10 years old.

Sorry, Patrick, this is one I haven't grown in some yrs. That's why I couldn't really offer advice abt the withering stems which post I saw. I too suffer that ailment once in a while (esp. w/ Carnosas, which I have recently given up on). Have you unpotted it recetnly to check the drainage? I don't really know what to suggest other than the roommate needs to leave the windows alone or the plant is likely to get too cold &/or rot. I wouldn't water it if it's still cold, OR if watering move it well away from the cold windows.