Take a look at the related questions, as they may help you.

thanks

Hmmm...now you've posted a photo - that does look like a very unhappy plant!

Are there any signs of new shoots at the base of it? I think you should feed it, with a handful of blood fish and bone scattered round the root area and raked in, and if there are any new shoots appearing, wait a while then cut it back to them.

Otherwise - keep your fingers crossed! Good luck.

Yes, think it might be on its last legs!
Will try your suggestion though. Thanks again.

As with the Robinia question, I would gently sccrape with your fingernail, the stem and if there's no green, then it is dead. I must say it looks like a dead parrot to me, an ex-parrot.

Thank you. Will venture out when it stops raining and try that.