I have an autumn blaze maple tree that I planted 3 years ago. Both previous Springs and Summer seasons the tree has been growing and has had beautiful leaves all season. This season, the tree started to show buds, those buds are still on the tree, but are dry and there are zero leaves on the tree. I noticed today that the trunk of the tree that faces the Southwest (probably more west) has a large split. The ground under the mulch is damp and I have been watering it to make sure that there is water for the roots. Is this poor tree dead? I do not see any insects on it, no insect borrow holes or anything that would make me think that insects are the culprits!?!? Any thoughts and help would be very much appreciated.