The tops are a different color than the bottom of the same tree. I have four of them i rescued. And I’m afraid that I should have covered them this winter. Southern Wisconsin.
Central Minnesota, here. Our cedar tree always turns purple-ish in the winter - especially last year’s fresh growth. However, this is just it winterizing itself. It’ll green up again as spring progresses. If yours is anything like ours, I bet it’ll be just fine. As long as it’s not brittle and disintegrating, I don’t think it died.
That said, if it doesn’t green up in the next month, then I’d say you may have an issue.
Is this an eastern redcedar? If so, it should be cold hardy enough for Wisconsin I think.
To me the top doesn’t look dead, but I’m not sure what’s causing the color difference. Perhaps it’s just maturing? If it’s still soft and pliable I would assume it’s OK.
