You gotta be kidding, this sounds to much like the chefdave hornbeam. Small world.
You can do a simple check to see what branches have life and which ones aren't. Simply scratch or trim the branches and check the cambium layer for a moist green appeal. Anything w/o a live cambium will be toast.
*Here is a pic exampling live green cambium.
http://www.uic.edu/classes/bios/bio...m/treetrunk.jpg