Hi, this is Steve and thank you for your question on your Kentucky Coffee Tree. We have had a cool spring which has delayed some trees and other plants. You can check to be sure your tree is alive by gently scraping back a very small patch of the outer layer of bark. If it is green under the bark, that area is still alive and should bud. If not, keep checking areas to determine how much of the tree is not viable. However, the fact that sprouts are coming from the root ball is also an indication that the tree is having issues as it is attempting to continue growth from the roots and not the upper tree.

We also had a very dry fall and early winter. Did you winter water the tree which can help with the situation? Here is information on how to winter water in the future. https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/fall-and-winter-watering-7-211/

Overall, I would give the tree some more time to determine the outcome this year. Often, nature will overcome adversity given time. If the tree does not seem to begin to bud within the next month, you can recontact us and send pictures of the tree from a distance and then closer shots including one where the tree trunk enters the soil. Thank you.