Hard to predict this year - the weather's veering from hot to cold, but I'd certainly have expected some signs of budding by now. Scrape back the bark in places with a fingernail - if its brown and dry inside, its dead.

Thank you very much.

We live in a major chestnut-producing area, and have had weather every bit as cold as the UK, but there are little seedlings all over the countryside, all of which are showing quite healthy foliage already. I think you may have lost it, Robert.

I don't think Robert's lost it, I think it was dead when he bought it... from drought by the sound of it.

Such a shame - you're probably right, BB.

Thanks everyone.
Robert