Tackling overgrown garden

If it is very dead I think it would be easier to sort out before you start work in the garden. It can be messy getting rid of large logs etc. What kind of tree was it? Might it keep you warm in the future?

It is very difficult to judge tbh unless you are stood in the garden and can get a full perspective.

I would alwAys think very carefully before I removed a healthy tree.

Unless you are absolutely certain that shrubs are dead, I wouldn’t pull them up until you’ve given them a chance to come back in the spring. The summer was so dry, that a lot of things shed their foliage very early to protect the plant for next year. If the tree is definitely dead have it removed though.

It looks like an Ash tree, though hard to tell. Ash trees are suffering from a fungal disease called Ash Dieback. A few might survive but that looks unlikely in this case. I'd ask the advice of a local (as if it is Ash dieback others will know about it, or a tree surgeon). If it looks like it could survive pruning can be enough but I'd have it removed.

If there is ivy growing on tree trunks l always cut it at the base and let it die, then easily pull the dead ivy off. It massively increases the light through the trees onto the ground cover helping plants on the ground to thrive. It's on ongoing process.

A previous neighbour of mine had a similar dead tree. He had the height reduced then grew a rambling rose up it, which was beautiful!