Hi - about 70% of branches leafed out, of those most have dropped their leaves already, hence all the bare branches. Got tree at auction so doubt there is warranty but can talk to seller. Did not fertilize or amend at planting because I have planted dozens of trees in my yard without fert. or amend and they did fine. Tend to agree with not moving, leave alone for now see if it will recover?

My Rising Sun when planted in July'13 is below. Was 2.5' tall. Photo from Sep'16 below. About 5' tall. It was heavily mauled by deer down to one little branch in '14. Still a bit lopsided. In addition, I moved it once and it thrived through two legit Z5 winters, so this guy has shown nice toughness/vigor. Would probably be 7' without the deer damage. I don't have a photo that does it justice, but the color is impressive throughout most of the summer - lots of repeat flushes. I remember now looking at the Ruby Falls when shopping for a small weeper two years ago, but I got nervous about the Forest Pansy parentage, as Forest Pansy is not truly Z5 hardy. They sell FP here, but I don't think they thrive with the cold. That's why I went with the Pink Heartbreaker - similar form but green leaved.

I have four of them- the one in full sun grew amazingly fast and has the best color but needs supplemental water quite often. The one in mostly shade is slower growing and less colorful but doesn't need watered as often. The two in part sun fall in the middle. I have other Cercis varieties and this one is just as easy care. The end of summer yucky leaves show up more on The Rising Sun's lighter colored leaves than they do on say a Forest Pansy with darker leaves but they are all chugging along just fine. First year full sun specimen- Second year full sun- Third year full sun- fence is six feet- First year part sun- Second year part sun- Third year part sun-

if you have a warranty.. use it ... that bud.. way down low.. indicates to me.. everything above is struggling ... and everything not leafed out.. is probably dead ... but you could give it another month to make sure.. but even if it comes on late ... its heavily stressed ... though the plain old..plain old.. grows and seeds like the devil in my MI ... all my attempts with the foo foo ones.. failed.. some quicker than others ... but i thought that was mostly a cold z5 thing .... they should do better in warmer zones ... yes.. you could cut off all the dead stuff ... and what are you going to be left with ... one bizarre looking tree .. lol .. if it were out back on my 5 acres... it would be interesting to watch if for a few years.. and see what happens ... but crikey.. yours is right out there in front of your castle... impressing the neighbors ... lol .. so its probably time to go ... or at least move it out back ... i have had a lot of trouble with black mulch ... i bet that stuff gets hot in the heat of summer.. in AL ... if you have further problems with plants.. especially low growing plants.. that might be in the equation ... if you have a warranty... either get money back.. or try something else .. imo ... ken