In article , gary smith
writes
If you want too see if its dead, just give the bark on a branch a
slight but hard scratch with you finger nail or a knife, and you
should see green under the bark.

If not its dead, or at least up to your scratch mark, and then work
closer to the main branch.

I have had a number of apple trees with there tips dead this year,
which I have put down to a late frost. But then the fruit at the
moment are like marbles, so thats lack of water.

!!

Whereabouts are you?
In Yorks, ours are about golf ball sized.

--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"