Thanks Jim - I'll do that.

David

David,
It's definitely got some dieback at the very least, but it's mroe likely
that it's diseased and rotting backwards. Prune all the way back down the
canes till you reach living cane that's light colored at the core.
You've got to cut past the sick part or it'll keep dieing back. If it
reaches the bud union it's done for. Fertilize it now too.

JimS.
Seattle[/quote]