Discussions

I transplanted an apple tree last fall into my backyard. I’ve been watering it since this spring and I’ve noticed leaves starting to grow back from the base of the tree. There are no leaves growing from the branches.  
My question is: do I leave it alone or am I best to prune it or cut it down to the new growth to encourage it to grow. Thanks!

Are the stems above or below the graft.

I forgot to mention that any stems below the graft will not produce any fruit

Can you post a couple pics... one from far enough out to see the whole tree and one from near the bottom where you are seeing the new growth? Like cotr is saying, suspect what you’re seeing come from the bottom is from the root stock which won’t be what you’re hoping for/expecting as far as producing the kind of apples you bought the tree for...but maybe there’s a chance your life is from above the graft?  
 
You might already know this, but some good general info on grafting here:  
http://hardyfruittrees.ca/tutorials/2014/01/16/why-are-fruit-trees-grafted

FYI - I had an apple tree until this year. It was at least 12 years old and just did not produce a single leaf. I checked with an arborist and he suggested leaving it alone this year and see if it comes back next year.  
 
Not sure if there was some sort of Apple tree pest, but he thinks the winter was likely hard it on it.

Everyone is correct about the growth. Above the graft=:good, below=:no good. Most fruit trees are grafted onto hardy stock, and the below graft sprouts will not produce apples. By the sound of it, chances are that your tree experienced winter kill and will not be alive.  
 
If the growth is above the graft, cut all but the strongest one so that it will get all the goodness. Congratulations, you would still have your apple tree! Keep all other sprouts trimmed off to keep it at its best.  
 
Aside from these things, to check for life, you can either scratch off a small bit of outer bark with your fingernail (if bark is thin)/sharp knife/pruners, or prune a small branch or two on different parts of the tree to see if there is a green circle of life just under the outer bark. If not, try a bit closer to the trunk and then on the trunk. Only do a very small spot...nothing large. If there is no green anywhere above graft, your tree died.  
 
Dead bark & inner wood of live vs. dead is very different in feel, color and wetness.  
 
Edited by Flutterby, 2018-08-02 14:43:20

So I did the scratch test and there is green at the base of the tree under the bark. But higher up there is not, it’s dry and brown. Now what?

I am sorry but I believe your tree is dead above the graft. You could cut out the dead wood and your tree may live but it will never bear fruit or look like an apple tree. I personally would remove it and plant a new tree.

Just wondering, you said you transplanted it. Was it nursery stock or you dug up one of your own. Just thinking if it was the later you may have cut the root system. If from nursery stock there should be some kind of warranty.  
Just make sure you really water them every day in the fall until freeze up.  
Good Luck

For the advice everyone. I guess she’s a goner.  
- (I just dug it up out of my brothers yard. He wanted it gone.)

I'm wondering about possible pests as well, but maybe it's just lack of water. My tree produced huge, red apples last year and this year they are only half the size. Mind you, it's not time for them to be ripe yet, but I don't see them getting much bigger...