It's hard to say what the long-term effect might be -- you may just have to wait the rest of the summer (it may send out new leaves) and next spring and see how it does.

You can alway take a small twig (not a main branch) and cut back into the bark to see if it looks fresh inside or dry and dead.

You might also check with your local master gardeners/extension service and see if they have advice or help for you. They're probably getting a lot of questions like yours right now.

Good luck!

Here's a link that explains the effects of flooding on tree roots. On page 3, it lists tolerant and intolerant trees---sorry, but Cercis is on the intolerant list. The tree may be okay, but you won't know until next year, maybe. Or it may be showing signs of disease right now.

I also want to extend my sympathy to you for dealing with all that flooding. We've barely received enough rain this season, and you've received way too much. Doesn't always make sense, this weather of ours. Good luck to you out there.

Here is a link that might be useful: flooding and trees

i had a white birch planted and it grew beautifly for about 4 years and all of a sufdden at the end of the summer, it just brown and wouldn grow, and died. what do you suppose happened?