Question

Unknown Plant   We bought an apple tree at a garden center last labor day and planted it.  It lost its leaves in the fall and never grew any new ones this spring.  Basically it looks dead although some branches seem to be growing.  In the past weeks we noticed two small plant (trees?) growing right next to the apple trees trunk.  We are wondering if they are new apple trees or just a weed?  See attached photo.

Thanks!!

Answer
Steve
The leaves are apple tree leaves...Was it a grafted tree, a stem cutting or a seedling?..Grafted trees are apple tree branches grafted on to another fruit tree root stock...A stem cutting is the rooting of a terminal end bud on from a new branch...A seedling is grown from a seed...Depending on these facts will determine whether the new tree will be true to its' original species type...You may end up with a different type apple tree than the original one you bought...

Scratch a small spot on the bark of the tree (branch by branch and main trunk# with a sharp knife or scissors...If it is still green or yellow under the bark the branch or trunk may still be alive...Remove all dead branches back to green/yellow good wood...It should then start to releaf and produce new growth buds...

If the original tree is completely dead cut it off at its' base #1/2" to 1" above the ground)...

Let the sucker growths grow and see what happens...It may take 2-3 years for them to produce fruit...Then you will know what kind it might be...
Good luck...And have fun with it...
Rick in southern NJ