Solved What's this little tree?

Sorry the pictures aren't very good. Can't get another one until next week. Can't work out what it is, though is very distinctive. Should it look like this in autumn or was it damaged by summer drought? Any thoughts welcome.

 

I agree it looks like an Acer, but how long has it looked like that?
I'd be a bit worried if those leaves dont fall off naturally.

Have you had a hard frost already?

 

I think it's dried out through this past summer. I would scratch some of the bark to see if it's green and still alive MAJ.

 

Thanks @Fat Controller , @pete and @Sheal

I didn't think it was an acer because the 'leaves' - or what's left of them - seemed to be very shredded - like Hamamelis mollis flowers are - stringy - but hanging down, curled and crispy. Could an acer's leaves be damaged that badly? Or is it a 'dissectum'? I've seen other acers with sun scorch and they generally seem to just have the leave edges burned...

 

No, it's in London. It's not my tree, only just seen it.

 

The edging doesn't actually look that good in reality. But I think it's just the colour and type. Could work with something similar though.

 

It looks exactly like an Acer.
Acer palmatum dissectum.....it is fairly mature with a good straight trunk and a beautiful weeping shape.
Hopefully next year it will be fine and it will produce fresh leaves.
As it is not yours maybe better not to try scraping the bark to see if it is still alive.

P,S..Box edging...what a shame they didn't infil with soil/compost inside to the top of the wood.

 

Thanks, as usual!

 

Personally I dont think burying the trunk lower is a good idea, ie adding soil to the edging.

My thoughts are, if the leaves dont drop off naturally then it is probably dead, or atleast there will be a fair amount of die back.

 

Sorry pete that was not what I meant.
Burying trunk would lead to rot/death.
I meant more soil inside wooden edges and when tree was planted put into deep soil...roots at same level as when in a pot.

 

I got an idea the timber was added later, some time after planting.

 

Re the decking square and soil, I will check out next week. Client had a gardener before (who died) and still working out what has been done etc in various bits of the garden. But yes, I think the decking square looks like it was just an add on, when they made some raised beds next to it, Unfortunately, doesn't do it justice and in my view, unnecessary. Thanks for all your help guys! Always useful.

 

MAJ..that is a fab specimen Acer. Love it.
It needs to be pride of place.
It needs looking after...I would....
1.Remove boards.
2.Weed
3. Mulch really well with composted bark/leaf mould about 4" deep...but well away from the trunk...in a big circle over the roots.

Very soon you will be able to tell by the colour which twigs are completely dead...it is perfectly normal.....but if you just snap them all off with your fingers it will look very much better when it comes into leaf in 2019. it is a slow very theraputic task.

 

Sounds like a good idea to me...