Leave the leaves alone. The tree will drop them on its own if they are dead. Maybe some of them will perk back up. Cutting the leaves in half will accomplish nothing and could be harmful if the leaves happen to be able to recuperate.

Thanks Brandon. I didn't cut the leaves afterall. Sounded like a bit of an old wives tale to me anyway, but I was grasping at straws. Went ahead and planted it and we'll see what happens. I was so excited to have actually FOUND a sugar maple (so many nurseries don't carry them anymore because there were problems with them awhile back...this one is the "Legacy" series, which is supposed to be a stronger variety...we'll see), and I've never had the problem of wind burn on any plant I've lugged home in our truck. This was a first.