Kim,
I've had mine for several years, to the point where I have seedlings.
Mine is just now forming buds.

Keeping in mind that my gardens develop an exact week later than most of the area. Yours should be coming out soon. In the meanwhile, it just looks dead.

I also have learned that this is a plant that must be allergic to water. If it's overwatered, it develops a scale-looking thing and dries out hard. Just swear at it occasionally. Perhaps taunt it a little bit. It'll be fine.

Thanks, Christine.

I've been holding onto the receipt so I can go back for the guarantee if the plant is dead, something I'm not organized enough to do for long. I'll do an observe this weekend and see if there are buds. I'll go out and compare the plant to my jackass "alone in the universe" neighbors who just got an eight month old, poorly socialized part pitbull. Just the perfect dog for them. That should scare the plant into leaf if anything can.

See you at the swap I hope.

Well Christine you were exactly right. I just checked on it and there were at least a few leaf bud swellings?

By now you should see a bit more. It's a really slow starter, just like Crape myrtles.

Be kind to the dog. Pits are loving dogs with the right owners. It's not its fault his owners are total jerks. Make him your friend and perhaps you can make him pee on their legs.

Right you are, first fully formed leaf is out now.

Love dogs, including pit bulls. Hate these neighbors. But this nine-month old pit bull has obviously been mistreated or maybe simply not socialized at all. And this is not the family to fix her problems.

Nothing here in zone 4 yet. Lots of nodules. (Fuzzy bumps on branches)