I hate the look of the trees after the power company comes through and trims them, but I understand why they have to do it. It's sad when an old tree has to come down. My DH is cutting down a neighbors dead tree tomorrow. Lydia (tree hugger)

You could graft the wee ones onto the green stock plant or onto a new stock plant. Leslie is quite right regarding the fact that they cannot survive on their own (they lack chlorophyll and thus are incapable of producing enough food via photosynthesis).

Please, I'm no expert. I do have experience with these guys. The base is already rotted so you have to cut all the rotted base off. Set the top on pure gravel. Mist every so often but don't over due the misting or it will rot more. It needs almost no water for many months due to the fact they store the water up in the crest. It may take up to 6 months to see roots forming but worth the wait. The reason they graft them is to more them to market sooner. Base used is rooted and ready to ship as soon as the graft takes. Usually one month. If they waited for it to root on it's own, It could take a year before market. Everything is based on what's good for market, not what good for the plant. And why they graft on round stock of Euphorbia neriifolia instead of it's own kind of Euphorbia lactea is unknown. Most fail on that round stock. I have removed many overgrown sections off my plants and placed on gravel pans and they still continued to grow even with out ever watering them. I leave them all winter alone with out water. Come spring the pieces have formed roots. Also some reversion to E. lactea must be removed and planted off in it's own pot.

I know your pain. A long time ago I accidentally killed a very old family cactus. Overwatering in a pot with no drainage hole. I am sorry you lost the plant. I hope someone can help you get one started again.