It does look like an ex rowan tree. Try scraping the bark to see if its green underneath- otherwise it might be for the chop unfortunately.

yes I fear it may not be alive. Mine is now in leaf with flower buds opening.
do as camomile says re the bark test.

Thanks for the info. I'll check it out in the morning. But how on earth can a 38. Yr old tree die just like that ? Is it normal ?

Has anything happened to the roots? I know trees will die if earth is piled up around the roots and up the trunk - have your neighbours done anything which might have affected it? Failing that it has been a horrid long winter so perhaps it decided enough was enough.

And they are also only a short lived tree, though short in tree terms is relative.

Have now scraped 2 or 3 branches/twigs and it's greeb underneath ! But all the leaves are brown and there's no life anywhere else.
Will keep an eye on it but I fear the worst.

My partner has one overhanging his garden which did the same a few years ago. We removed the parts that were actually dead but could do little else because it isn't ours. Since then it has gradually improved. So far this year it is looking good, but I suspect it is sick, possibly with canker(?).

I think that as a mountain species they don't like very wet ground, tbe last 12 months have been just that

I've just noticed that the tree is covered in snails, right up to the top. Could this be the problem ?

Snails like damp places could the soil have been waterlogged?

T'is a bit wetter than the rest but it's lasted 38 yrs like that, thanks for the replies though.

My neighbour has a rowan that was nearly dead and getting deader - then suddenly last year it threw up healthy new shoots from the bottom, so keep your fingers crossed.

Hello again Margaret,( clever name, that ) thanks for your input. I'll leave it be and see if it improves.I had my saw sharpened up for the job but will give it a chance.

I wondered who this was for a minute Hank! Margaret's the middle name, I'm known as Sue!

Of course you are, that explains the S at the beginning. Some things I remember but most I soon forget.

Join the club.