always cut off dead stuff ... after you are sure they will not bud..

so give them a little more time..

and that stake and string is useless .... get rid of it .. trees are supposed to blow in the wind .... and if they have been there 5 years.. it doesnt need it.. which brings me toooo ...

have those really been there for 5 years??? because the death could be related to recent transplant shock .. improper ball and burlap, potting or planting ...

there is a tree forum.. if you wish ...

ken

ken; thx for reply. I'll check Tree forum. I Tried Maple forum but got no response. Trees might only be three years but are certainly not recent transplants.

I know stake needs to go, been waiting till I get the tractor out as it wouldn't come loose without a lot more effort than I wanted to spend given it'll pull out easily with the bucket.

Water stress last year, probably. Mulched area much too small for establishing trees- maples can't compete with grass any better than grass can compete with an established maple.

You will need to train a new leader from most vigorous branch that can be bent straight or a new shoot. You can use the dead wood as a crutch until new leader hardens.