Hi-
Tree planted in 2021: without any clear signs or symptoms of root rot, wilt, or canker disease it's likely that the tree simply failed to establish. This often happens the first or second year after planting. Trees will fail to leaf out in the spring or, if they do bud and leaf, quickly drop their new leaves because the root system does not have enough stored food reserves to sustain growth. Failure to establish can be caused by one or more site or environmental conditions such as drought, cold injury, compacted soil, wet soil, or low-quality plant.


Gold Rich: diseases can cause branch or whole tree decline and death over time. It's unlikely that a disease, borer, or hot, dry period  could cause a tree to go from healthy to dead in 10 days. For example, Verticillium causes leaf yellowing and dieback on one or more branches. When you slice through the bark of affected branches you'll often see brown discoloration or streaking of the underlying tissue.
The uniformity of the symptoms (all leaves wilted and scorched) suggests a cultural or environmental cause like girdling, major root injury, or herbicide spray drift.

Apricot is the least cold-hardy of the stone fruits which leads to winter injury. The early bloom habit makes flowers and young fruits susceptible to late freezes. It's not a reliable producer in Maryland. 
Jon

Thanks, Jon.

Re: 2021 planting, that makes sense.  It did bud and leaf, and then quickly drop leaves in April.

Re: GoldRich, there was no mechanical digging near by.  We don't have a big vole population, but I guess that is possible.  No herbicides used, and no sprays since end of July.  Girdling seems like it would take quite a bit longer than 10 days.

And yep, Apricots are hard to get fruit from here in MD!  But it's nice when it happens. :) 

Hi- examining the roots and crown after you remove the tree may identify or rule out some possible causes.
Jon