There is a Weeping Birch in front that has been in ground for 6 years now.
This year, although the tree does not seem dead, the leaf buds have yet to
open.

Spring here has sucked...zone 5a, near Ottawa, Ontario. Unfortunately,
there isn't another tree like it in the neighbourhood to compare with.
Scratching a layer of bark reveals green beneath. When I pinch a leaf bud
in half, it's green.

Another thing,,,,,the tree suffered great stress when the flower bed beneath
was hacked with a shovel by a newbie black thumb.

Any suggestions, experiences with this kind of (lack of) progress?

TIA