my red acer which is in a pot survived the winter and it was well below zero here for weeks at a time.

If its in a pot, and the compost inside it froze for longer than ten days, then that would cause this to happen.

mine is in the ground ,but only 1 branch got leaves, so i have cut the bare branches of and c wothappens

Thank you for your comments everyone I appreciate them and take them on board. What has happened is so drastic and also a laurel bush went the same way right next to my acer and I think they could have been poisoned.

Maureen.

o no hope not alltho we lost a lot of hedging 1 year. r they near the rd , i wonder wether car fumes r to blame.