Thank you for writing.

It would be helpful to send me a picture of the leaves on the branches.
The best you could hope for is sooty mold. https://www.bigotree.com/what-is-that-black-stuff-on-my-sugar-maple-tree/

More worrisome is the possibility of a fungal infection called root rot https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/maple-acer-spp-phytophthora-root-rot  or root  rot https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/maple-acer-spp-phytophthora-root-rot

or sap rot.  https://www.treerot.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Sap_rot_an.pdf

There are three issues: the correct diagnosis, an assessment of the structural stability of such a large tree which could endanger people or property and the correct management.

You should call a certified arborist. https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional

If the tree can be saved, any pruning of dead branches should be postponed until late winter, such as February to assure that the tree is dormant and sap is not running.  The arborist can give you more specific advice.

Please let me know how it turns out.
It is not common to see wounds on both sides of the trunk like that.

Please let me know how it turns out.
It is not common to see wounds on both sides of the trunk like that.

Thank you for that opinion.  Please tell me which sides of the tree picture one and picture 2 face.  Then I am going to send this around.  
Silver maples do ooze a sap that oxidizes black but this still seems odd. 
Steve

Hi Victor, 
There are divided opinions here but the consensus is that the tree should get a house call from a certified arborist.
Some think that the large wound is old and shows signs of healing.  Others, myself included, are worried about lesions on opposite sides of the tree indicating that the trunk may be structurally week.
Best to you,