started as seedling two years ago, about two/three feet tall now
When they die. There is no need to cut them before this.
Maple trees are well adapted to growing on their own without help. Unless they are showing signs of distress, it is best to leave them as they are.
This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/growing-maple-trees.htm
I noticed an infestation on the trunk and underside of branches of our Acer tree. There are numerous small, 5mm, brown oval shaped things, that are sitting on top of a white fluffy “spider web” type substance. They don’t appear to have legs, as far as I can see. Hopefully you can identify this and recommend a treatment for the tree. Thanks
That is a type of Scale insect. This is going to be very difficult to treat, since you must first remove as much as you can by hand.
They seal themselves to your tree under a shell. This makes it hard to treat with insecticides, since they can't usually penetrate the shell. Once you remove what you can, then you can begin treatment. This WILL kill the eggs that are now exposed.
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/control-plant-scale.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/what-is-armored-scale.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/what-is-soft-scale.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/what-are-organic-pesticides.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides
We are in a drought and we are gone a lot so we relied on the kids to water, and they finally admitted they didn't water
If there is any living growth left, then proper care will be the only way to bring it back.
Trim off any branches that are completely dead, and brittle. Leave any growth that has any pliability to it.
Here is an article that will help you with the care of Maples:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/growing-maple-trees.htm
This year's new leaves are mostly stunted and curled and many have blackened edges. We did have a late frost in the spring. Could this be the cause or is there another problem?
Unfortunately, your photos did not come through. This sounds like an infection, rather than frost related issues. This can happen from saturated soils, or soils that do not have a chance to dry out between waterings.
For now, you can try fungicides/bactericides. Some are broad spectrum and some are specialized. Using a specialized fungicide will require knowing exactly what infection is taking hold. Broad spectrum can help with many illnesses.
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/homemade-fungicide.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/applying-bactericide-to-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/growing-maple-trees.htm
The new leaves are curled up, not fully formed, and the tips are dry and dark.
This is common with fungal/bacterial infections from overwatering, or very drastic overfeeding.
You may want to test your soil for nutrient content or pH swings. These articles will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm
This tree is 14 years old and has these spots on it this year. There is another maple in the same yard much smaller but also has similar spots. What is the remedy?
Maple tree fungal leaf spots are common and usually will not kill the tree. By the time symptoms are noticed, it's usually too late for fungal sprays. The best remedy is prevention with a regular fungal spray beginning at spring bud break and two weeks after that. Right now, raking the dropped leaves and disposing of them can help prevent the spread next year. Pruning to open up the canopy can improve air flow and help avoid black spot diseases.
Maple tar spot is common in Illinois and I've included information below as well as other black spot diseases.
http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=1037
http://www.ladybug.uconn.edu/FactSheets/leaf-spot-disease-of-trees-and-shrubs.php
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/maple-tar-spot-disease.htm
https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/2009/6-3/leafblister.html
It’s a dissectum and in a pot on the patio and gets sun and shade. It has drainage but the leaves are all coming off, why?
How old is the tree? How long has it been in the same pot? It may need its roots pruned or need to be repotted in a larger container. It could have a pest.
Here is a link to several articles - check your tree's growing conditions, inspect it carefully, and hopefully you'll find your answer here: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/japanese-maple/japanese-maple-problems.htm