I have had a tree fern for about 5 years, which was growing quite well in
thegarden but last year got too big for the greenhouse, so I over wintered
it in a bubble wrap lean to temporary shelter. The leaves stayed green ok
through the winter but then in spring all died off.

I have kept it in the garden hoping it would shoot again but with no
success. There does appear to be something green down in the crown when I
scratch its surface, its been there for a couple of months now, almost as if
it is an "in growing leaf", but no new leaves produced.

Should I write it off as dead, or leave it to see what happens?

If it's dead, I have seen small tree ferns in pots (about 8" tall) at a
nursery. Could I grow one of these on the top of the old chap rather than
start from scratch? I visited a garden in Cornwall where it appeared that
tree ferns had been grafted into the top of old ones, and they were doing
ok.

Thanks for any info.
David.