Hi, 

What we see on the plant now is frost or freeze damage from the cold temperatures that hit most of Maryland last week. These damaged leaves won't recover but they will eventually fall off and new ones should take their place. 

It's hard to say what could have caused it in other years to drop leaves and not have it leaf out again. If it were verticillium wilt, we would suspect it would have died by now. 

It could be due to drought stress as well. Trees respond to drought by dropping leaves to channel water to their roots. If you monitor for watering needs, that will help the tree recover and protect it from other common drought-related diseases like Botryosphaeria canker. We have been in a prolonged and worsening drought since 2024 due to insufficient rainfall throughout Maryland. Roots need ample water to help plants recover and push out new growth so watering deeply to soak the entire root zone will help the tree with additional stress.

Should you see other symptoms as the summer progresses, feel free to send additional photos. 

Emily