Is my tree dead or can it be saved?

[Shortgal]

We have a tree in our front garden. Two healthy trees by its side. Last year it grew buds but not leaves. Looked it up and Google suggested it could be a one off and then I forgot about it. It’s the same this year. Small buds but no leaves. It looks so sad next to the other two but I don’t want to condemn it if it can be saved?

If you said what kind of tree people may have some knowledge/tips that could help. Or a photo maybe.

Check some small twigs. Scrape away the bark and see whether there is green underneath or if they are dead. Usually dead twigs snap quite easily. If there is green, that's good. Where there's life, there's hope.