The ivy won't have helped either. Trouble with conifers is that once they have gone brown like that they don't green up again so although it isn't dead it will never regain its former beauty. (like me...)

Oh dear S, it's been there for at least 25 years, and I bet it'll take some getting up. Presumably the eunonymus will have to come out too ? Will that transplant at all ? I have just the spot for it.

If picture 2 is the latest, I'd say it's doing ok. As someone - I can't remember who - said, "it's got two chances". See what it's like next Spring.

This looks like a kind of Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa), or possibly a False Cypress (Chamaecyparis). Both will send out adventitious shoots from branches less than 5 cm in diameter, but such shoots may be sparse and spotty, needing some time and training to fill in the topiary. A gentle feeding in early spring will speed things up a little. I would finish removing the Ivy, and giving the Euonymus a light trim will reduce competition from that quarter. Trimming the Eonymus more heavily in spring will shrink its root system, reducing the competition even more.

Thanks Tug, there's hope for me yet. I'll do as you suggest. I have already removed all traces of ivy.

That's potentially good news then Hank. One of the occasions when I'd be delighted to be too pessimistic!

I have a friend who was having her drive paved and a Euonymus about the size of yours was dug up and replanted with no ill effects. But digging it up could possible damage the roots of the conifer - probably better to leave well alone. Clipping it once a year will stop it doing hte same thing again.

Thanks for the warning S, I hadn't thought about the conifer roots. Time to get the secateurs etc out again.