That's a little odd, because this tree is fully hardy, and despite last winter being very harsh, it shouldn't have killed it off - shocked it maybe, and followed by a very up and down spring and early summer (hot one minute, cold the next) which may have delayed growth, but I'd have expected signs of life by now. If there are no signs of disease (check the base of the trunk to see that all is well there) and no honey fungus in the vicinity, I'm not sure what's going on with it.

I agree, very strange.

Might it have been trying to sprout during that last big frost in spring? Still, it should be sprouting from the branches.

Thanks for responses.
No sign of honey fungus, but there seems to be a grey coloured viscous secretion coming out ofthe trunk in a couple of places about one foot (30cms) above ground level.
As to the frost, there might well be a problem there but it is not my tree to keep a close eye on to know whether it had started sprouting before the last frosts - which were quite hard and late in that part of Somerset. There really was no sign of sprouting at last week-end's inspection.

Ah - the reason I asked you to check the base of the tree is that they are susceptible to root and butt rot, usually entering through damaged areas of bark low down, often caused by strimming, for instance. If the tree doesn't recover and start growing, it would probably be best to have it removed, if the areas of rot or ooze spread and get worse.