Question
I live in Houston, Texas and had planted a Norfolk Pine in my backyard some 12 years ago.  It was absolutely gorgeous and is about 7 to 8 feet tall.  However, Houston had a most unusual winter this year with temperatures in the 20's for 4 nights in a row in December and having snow twice which is totally unheard of.  My pine is totally brown except for the bottom two feet which are green.  If I cut off the upper 5 feet that's brown will it continue to grown or is it just going to completely die?

Thank you!

Answer
If you cut the top off the tree will more than likely die. If not the tree will look like a stunted bush and may never grow back to the tree shape. I would wait and see if the top is dead. Some times the needles are just burned with the cold and the tree will show signs of leaving out later this spring. I would wait until about the middle of may and see how the tree responds. If the top is dead you can then cut the dead off and see what you have and if you will be satisfied with this shape. If not I would replace the tree. Sorry.