Our three Cordyline australis looks dead after the snow. Most of the leaves have fallen off. Are they definitely dead and what's the best way to dispose of the dead leaves? Thank you.
This article will help you with determining if the plants are dead: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/how-to-tell-if-a-plant-is-dead-and-how-to-recover-an-almost-dead-plant.htm But I have a feeling that even if the stems are dead, the roots (having been insulated from the snow) are alive and these plants regrow from the root quite well. I would throw the leaves away. They can be poisonous to animals so better safe than sorry.
Can anybody identify this tree? And can it be easily transplanted?
It's a Cordyline australis, cabbage palm, native to New Zealand. Your's may be Torbay Red variety: https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/30608/Cordyline-Torbay-Red/Details
Easy to transplant when young, but mature plants have a massive root crown that is hard to dig and move.
This plant is about 5 foot high. It has one main trunk with a slightly small branch.0 The leaves of both of these are growing into each other. Should I cut off the smaller branch to increase growth in the main trunk? There are lots of smaller leaf grown at the base of the main trunk should I remove them to enhance the main trunk growth?
This will be up to you, whether you want to remove the branch or not. If you choose to remove it, then do it in late spring or summer. This will be the same with all pruning. If you decide to keep the branch, then you will want to thin out the center where leaves overlap and crowd.
This article will help you with pruning Dracaena regardless of which species it is:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/dracaena/pruning-dracaena-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/dracaena/pruning-dracaena-plants.htm