Looks like something bored into it. The tree has been declining ever since, so I finally, after much debate, took it out 2 days ago. The side of the tree was all cracked and I'd like to make sure my other Maple doesn't get this. This was a small tree, about 8ft tall. It started out as what looked almost like a woodpecker hole (I assume that it was a bug of sorts that bored into it?)and then the side started busting, going in a upwards line. Also, new emerging leaves would always turn brown and die in hot weather, then more would come and the same. This spring it actually put on some new growth, but with the heat, the new leaves, as they emerged, would look as though they were melting and then die. Any ideas are greatly appreciated!

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