Most likely yes. It is not uncommon for A.s. Aureum to exhibit this behavior. Mine does this and I have a friend that has a tree the does the same thing. What I had happen this year is two branches, one low on the trunk and one about mid-way up the tree (my tree is about 4ft tall) that had the buds swell then both shut down. First the buds turn brown and then the branch dies. This happen almost every year, but the branches I lose are usually very samll, no larger in diameter than a pencil. I attribute this to a slowy progressing form of V. Wilt.

Keep the tree in well drained soil and if potted, use some sort of moderate fertilization program incorporating 0-10-10 at least in the fall before dormancy. I would limit any transplanting to before bud break in the spring or in the fall when the hottest summer days have past. Just think of minimizing stress to the tree so that the diesease doesn't take hold. The tree will live a long life.

MJH