Question
My mature laburnum tree, we've had it 40 years when it was already mature, has for the first time not produced any leaves at all this year. There are still springy shoots on the tree, which tried to bud but then stopped coming out.Might it produce leaves again next year or should I regard it as dead and have it cut off?
I am having tree surgeons coming this week to treat other trees and they suggested to cut it down - although I don't regard them as experts in laburnum tree. Can you advise me quickly?

Answer
To determine if the tree is dead check one of the highest branches you can reach--start near the end of the branch and scrape a small bit of bark off the branch--if the color under the bark is green the branch is still alive. If the color under the bark is brown the branch is dead at this point on the branch--if brown continue down the branch scrapping at internals until you find green or reach the trunk. Try other branches and if you find no green the tree is dead. If you find green prune the dead off and the tree could leaf out next spring. I am sorry but it sounds like the the tree is dead.