Is it a young tree? Is it in a container or in the ground? I'm just up I-55 in Jackson, MS. I believe the relentless rain we had about a month ago was responsible for a couple of my young trees dying with symptoms like yours. After leafing out initially (and after the rains) did some of the distal buds turn brown then black? That's what happened to a couple of mine (in containers). I kept waiting for new growth to develop, but what actually happened is the plant began to gradually dessicate from the top down. Scientifically I don't know what happened, but I am pretty confident it was the rain that is responsible.

No, my tree was not a new tree, maybe 5-6 years old, 6-7 feet tall and wide. Until this year, it has done great. It just puzzles me why it died and my other 4 trees (different varieties) not only survived but are thriving. I'm still hoping that it will resprout at the base, but it has not happened yet. Thanks for your reply; you might be right about the rain.

I cut the tree down close to the ground today; it was all dead. It's possible that it may sprout from the roots but I'm not too hopeful.