Is the tree dying?

[mbird]

I planted a thunderchild crabapple tree in my front yard two summers ago. Last summer it seemed to be doing fine, however this summer things seem to be going downhill. The main shoot of the tree contains no leaves on the top half of the tree. This part of the tree was fine last year, but this spring no leaves budded. About half way up the tree a shoot comes out of the main trunk. This shoot got leaves and flowers this spring, but the leaves and flowers promptly died by June. The bottom of the tree seems to be doing well and is actually quite bushy. So my questions are: is the tree dying? can I bring it back to life? should I be pruning anything?

[backyardgardener]

Your in zone 1B... is the tree hardy for this zone?

[mbird]

I bought the tree from a local greenhouse and many other people in town have the same type of tree and they seem to be thriving. It says on a website I found that they grow up to zone 3, but I've seen a lot of success with them around here.

Is there maybe some special care I must give it?

[backyardgardener]

Do the other trees have a heavy layer of mulch or do they wrap the trees during the winter months? Drainage is another issue to consider.