Hi Michael, Would it be possible for you to send a few pictures of your tree…both the entire tree and closeups of some problem area so I can assess the entire planting area? 
How long has your maple been declining, I.e., was it healthy last year? Were there dead branches in the canopy? Has there been any heavy equipment near the tree? Do you know what variety of maple tree you have? Have you noticed any insects, webbing, brown/black leaves on the tree this year or before? Are there any roots above ground? Do you know approximately how old the tree is? Are any other maples in your area showing the same issue? 
Thank you for your additional information. 

Healthy every year but now. no bugs, black leaves, some ground upheaval notice at base and along driveway. Helicopters seem to dried up but not dropped, leaves that are out seem small , seems starved of something. only thing different this year is i applied lawn fertilizer.,scotts brand .lawn looks great, tree not so much.

No sure, but this appears to be a Norway maple...a very large, old, mature maple indeed! There are a few possible reasons why your tree is in decline, age being one. 

Norway maples are very fast-growing trees, and they also are notorious for developing girdling roots, a condition
where the tree’s roots cross over themselves and strangle each other. As the tree ages and the roots get larger, this is often what happens. This problem often goes  unnoticed until it’s too late to save the tree, leading to die-back at the top of mature trees without any visible signs of pests or rot.

I do see a couple of areas of concern, however. There appears to be a rather large hole ... a wound? at the base of the tree where the root flare meets the ground. This could easily be an entry for disease or damaging insects. Your pictures also show a couple of good-sized cracks in the bark. These may or may not be a problem, again due to the possibility of pathogens entering the tree.

The tree does not appear to have enough canopy to support itself right, and I fear by another year it may not make it. The fact that the tree is already producing and shedding samara (helicopters), indicates that the tree is trying to reproduce itself due to severe decline and possible death.

At this point, the best thing to do for diagnosing and treating your tree is to consult a certified arborist. An arborist is a certified and generally insured expert in trees and their problems. He or she can examine your tree and make recommendations regarding the health of the tree, any needed judicial pruning, and whether or not (in his opinion) it should be removed. Hiring a certified arborist will ensure that you are getting a knowledgeable and qualified tree specialist. You can find a certified arborist in your area here:

http://www.treesaregood.org/
Click on "Find an Arborist" at the top of the page; then click on United States from the pull-down menu. Then enter your State and City. This should bring up a list of certified arborists nearest to you. Or you may be able to locate one under "Tree Services" in your local Yellow Pages.
Good luck!

Here are a couple of other problems specific to Norway maples which potentially make your huge tree a danger:

Norway maples’ wet composition makes them more prone to rot and branch breaks, especially when exposed to strong winds. If even one of the large limbs should fall, significant damage could occur.

The dense canopy of Norway maples may provide ample shade, but it also increases the risk of wind-related damage due to its weight and resistance against gusts. When faced with high winds or storms, branches on these trees are more likely to snap or break off entirely compared to other native species. These broken limbs not only pose a hazard for pedestrians below but also, as mentioned earlier, create entry points for pests and diseases that can further weaken the tree.

Norway maples struggle to seal off wounds, leading to significant pockets of decay and poor structural integrity. Comparing their abilities with other tree species like oaks and beeches highlights the importance of considering a tree’s natural defenses when selecting species for planting in urban environments. 

If it should turn out that your tree needs to be removed and replaces, consider opting for native species like sugar maples (Acer saccharum) or red oaks (Quercus rubra). These trees
are better adapted to our climate and environmental conditions
and generally require less maintenance than their invasive counterparts.

Thank you very much for the insight and information. I do love the tree, very sad if it has to go.

I truly under stand that. It’s a lovely old tree.