Hi all,

I am a VERY inexperienced gardener, in fact, it would be safe to say, my hands have never planted a bulb! The extent of my endeavors has been to drag the mower back and forth occasionally when the missus gets her gardening head on (shes the green fingered one). Last year we moved into our new house, and there was a very pretty little tree in our garden, about 2-3 foot high, that had bright red leaves. I was told, by someone who supposedly knows their stuff, that this was a young maple.

I seem to remember that it grew these pretty red leaves very early in the year, but that could just be my poor memory. The thing is, this year, there is nothing at all so far. I cant even see what look like the beginnings of leaves, or buds.

In fact, the whole tree looks rather dead to my very ungreen eyes, and my missus is all for yanking it up. I'd like to give it a chance yet.

What time of year should maples start to show their leaves? and how can I tell if this tree has died? If it has, I want to replace it with exactly the same before too much more time passes.

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks....
G