First time poster to this forum needs help...

Two years ago I transplanted a Buckeye tree that grew from a long forgotten Buckeye buried by a squirrel in our garden. After digging it out, long tap root and all, I moved it out to a lawn area where it seemed to survive. The next year it had leaves on its top half; the whole tree was 3 feet tall when I moved it.

Toward the end of last season these leaves turned brown and dropped off earlier than usual. Oh oh!! But this year, new leaves are now growing on the lower half of the tree (it's now about 4 feet tall) but that top section still appears dead... no leaves or buds.

My question: should I prune off the top "dead" part to help the lower section continue to grow? I'd hate to do something stupid and lose the tree now.

I'm in Wisconsin which is often considered out of the Buckeye area, but this is from a seed from a long standing, giant Buckeye across the street, so I think it's hearty enough to survive the climate; but will it survive my pruning??? I need some expert advise here.

Thanks,

FJ