I have watched it all summer with growing agitation.  We have had a specialist look at it and do some work, however after a conversation with the under gardener that was very similar to the dead parrot sketch in Monty Python he, the under gardener, admitted that it was in fact dead. When we first came to the cottage this tree was in its full glory so to see it now a skeleton just pains me.  We had Roy Lancaster here last year and he asked if we were having any problems with the Acacia and as I said "no" it struck me that it had been dropping a lot of leaves.  Well now it is, like that parrot, no more!  Now I shall have to get it taken down, the stump taken out and then replant.  The only trouble with that is the question of weather I shall live long enough to see another tree grown that to that size.  

I have just got back from our village Gardening Club.  This evening we had a talk on Clematis.  I found this most inspiring and spent most of the talk mentally walking around the garden and adding new plants for the spring.  We have quite a few all ready, however I now have ideas about adding two or three more for next year.  I asked about propagating the plants and think that I shall have a go at this next year too.  For me the only down side to the lovely plant is having to leave the tatty stuff on the plant till next spring.  At this time of year I do like a good tidy up and this is one plant that has to be left.  The temptation is very strong to just hack them back but knowing just how disastrous this will be to next years flowers I manage to control myself, just.