Japanese acer/maple possibly dead.

[markymark1234567]

Hi everyone, I've had a japenese acer for 3 years not in a pot but straight in the ground. Every year since I bought it, it has got bigger and better until this year it just looks dead. There is no fresh shoots visible. Should I just leave it or is it dead. Or can i do something for it.
I can take pic tomorrow if required
Mant thanks in advance

 

[Thermo]

scratch the bark with a fingernail. if the bark comes away and itsgreen its still alive.many plants are still behind after this winter so dont be too hasty

 

[Jasonb]

Maples do suffer with die back in the winter, if it was badly affected by the cold weather you may have lost it. You can usually see this as the dead twigs turn a greyish white and will snap easily.

Give it another month, if no sign of life start cutting it back, if all the wood is dry then its had it.

Jason

 

[markymark1234567]

Left it this long fellas and still dead so dug it up.
Any ideas wot I can replace it with?