Hello. This tree is looking a little sickly. Just in the last few days it started sprouting buds on the top 1/3 (last pic) while the rest had leaves throughout the winter. Thought that part was dead. Should I lust let it grow or recommended trimming or topping? It's about 25' tall.
Thanks.
No need to remove growing stems - and definitely don't top trees. That's barbaric.
You should read up on structural pruning of young trees, though. There would be value in removal of competing "leaders" (central branches/trunks of same size and length) and any crossing branches or branches growing across the center of the canopy.
This looks like a healthy young Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) or similar evergreen southern Oak species. Other Texans should chime in, but I think this is quite normal behavior for the species. Live Oak will shed last year's leaves about the time that the buds break with this year's new leaves.
Thanks. I'll brush up on my pruning skills.
