transplant shock ... wouldnt be surprised if all the leaves fall off ... track down another.. and mark it.. to dig it up.. in fall.. when the leaves naturally fall off trees.. and you odds of success will increase 99% ... see link on how to do it all ... next time you want to try something in the yard... ask first ... all this said.. its a maple ... it probably .. might .. survive ... if you water it properly ... see link ... ken ps: and if you did it leafless.. you wouldnt need the stake.. and the wire ... Here is a link that might be useful: link

I actually just called my city to come check out a maple in front of my house. I believe it has verticillium wilt. My tree looks a great deal like yours. In my research one of the big clues for wilt that my tree has - a massive overproduction of seeds slightly off season. That along with die out and rapid wilt at the crown of the tree on individual branches. Jean's suggestion is probably a great idea. There was one other disease I saw that was similar, but it is difficult to tell which it might be without testing.

Jake, that is a fairly large sized transplant. I guess the windstorm before you got the tree dried out the rootball and or the leaves causing the wilt. You are probably earning its thanks for the effort you are putting forth! What to do.... First off, does this type of tree grow well in your area? Do your neighbors have good looking ones? I was amazed at what grows and does not grow in the Denver area and don't want you fighting an uphill battle. Second, use a small shovel and your finger to make sure your watering efforts are getting the rootball moist. Sometimes differences in soil composition between the rootball and our yards can either create a moist or dry spot. Small foliage is normal for a stressed tree. You are right to be concerned. Does it have a warranty and how long? Good luck, that had to be some work to plant.

Just looking at a Blaze maple, could cause portions of crown to change color. (Joke) But seriously, Freemanii Blaze and Marmos crossbred between Silver and Red Maple, have become iconic for early fall color problems. Maybe because presently, almost 99% of trees produced in Nurseries today, arrive with root flares already too deep in rootball. I agree with what others had suggested, it might be a girdling root problem. Another thing that will inevitably shorten your trees lifespan, is that mound of Mulch/soil at base of tree. Here is link to this old house video instructing owners how to perform a "Root flare excavation" around base of tree. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI12XNNqldA  A root flare void of any extra soil is so important (Mulch turns into soil), that Forest service suggests sweeping young trees root flare clean of any accumulating organic debris each spring. Also check for any flat spots on sides of trunk, especially on side where colorful branch is. Which is sign of girdling root. Hard sad fact, todays mulch mounding fad is expected to claim more lives of trees, than EAB and Dutch Elm disease combined. Also, black tar spot causes no adverse health problems to tree. So you can rule that out. Do you have automatic sprinkler system hit one side of tree? A one sided tree problem, is usually a root problem. And I can see branch above that one also showing some fall color. From my observations over last 20 years, Blaze maples that show this early fall leaf color, usually retain those leaves until true fall anyways . And seem to have that problem year after year. Since you watch tree year round, you have best chance to make good diagnosis. If tree does not have problem next summer, but does again year after. Document some details each year, like weather conditions etc.. Overwatering or iron deficiency was another possible problem someone else mentioned. I would think chlorosis would show in all of crown, or maybe root on that side of tree encountered some limestone. But usually other trees in same area show same symptoms, such as crown full of yellow leaves. You may want to check soil PH, just to rule that out. But know if this branch held on to leaves until true fall, its only a visual problem just like black spot is. Also, 20 year maturity point is time when owners learn if tree will live past 40 years. Or will continue to slowly decline. But I presently think, its not that serious. And even if you do remove offending branch, one above it is already showing same thing. Don't let anyone tell you a good pruning will solve things. And I think low branches can be most beautiful thing on a tree, unless shaded out. With all this info I gave you, answer might be in there somewhere...I belong to a committee at Morton Arboretum where horticulturist that invented tree is also from. So hopefully I will have chance to speak with him about your trees colorful problem. And please keep us updated about problem, since there are so many other Blaze maple owners facing same difficulty.