Hello Mark,

I believe that this tree, Maple Regal Petticoat (Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Regal petticoat’) is not susceptible to many diseases and tolerates most well-drained soils. Read more here: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=275368

Often when a tree begins to droop as rapidly as yours did, it may be due to a water issue. Unfortunately, too little water and too much water on a plant produce the same symptoms—drooping leaves. Read more here: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/tree-problems-caused-excess-water/

There have been periods of heavy rain in Michigan this spring. Is it possible that the tree is in an area that receives excess water? The hose in your picture would suggest that you have been watering it. The only way to establish whether it has enough water, is to dig down into the soil around the root ball to discover how wet the soil is. Then more water should be applied to the root ball as needed. Most trees need 1 inch of water a week.

If you determine that the root ball is soaking wet, dig up the tree, and assess the roots and soil. Healthy roots are plump and white and the soil is sweet smelling. If the tree is sitting in wet soil, the roots may be rotting. If root rot has set in, the roots are black and slimy and the soil smells sour. It is anaerobic because there is no air in it due to the amount of water in the soil.

To save the tree, you would have to move it to a spot where there is good water infiltration. You can test the percolation rate of your soil. To learn how, go to: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/determining_soil_infiltration_rate and https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/look_before_you_plant_landscape_trees

Before you plant a tree in the same spot, you could obtain a soil analysis. To obtain a soil test kit, go to: https://homesoiltest.msu.edu/get-started

Once again, you can contact the Plant and Pests Diagnostics Lab at MSU. To learn how to send in a sample, go to: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/

You can also contact a certified arborist at www.treesaregood.org , the website of the International Society of Arboriculture to find a certified arborist in your area.

Good luck with your tree.

Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.