is my tree dead wood?

[tommy]

i want away for one week during a very hot summer. my elm tree was doing really well but my housemate didn't water it. all the leaves were dry and brittle (althought green). There are small green shoots coming up from the surrounding soil. is my plant dead? or what shhould i do?
please help

[The Helpful Gardener]

THe new shoots sound like the roots starting new trees to make up for the los of the main trunk. I'd cut those and water regularly and see if I could get breaks on the main trunk again. If so you can restart the tree with what comes back; if not then you've learned a harsh lesson on procurring responsible tree sitters. Sorry to hear about this and hope you can recover; best of luck...

HG