Even though trees are large, strong and hard they are quite vulnerable to the elements, insects, disease, human development and other animal activities. Most crucial tree problems with the potential to kill or seriously harm trees don't occur overnight. Even acute seemingly events are the result of something that has been bothering trees for many years. For example a recent client I had called me concerning a red sunset maple growing in his back yard that he planted over 15 years ago and bought from a local nursery. The leaves on the tree began loosing color quite rapidly and much earlier in the season than usual. As a matter of fact the leaves expired so quickly that they never had the chance to abscize from the twigs (drop). The majority hung on to the twigs all shriveled and brown we call this flagging.( like a flag that hangs from a pole with no wind blowing through).
  Unfortunately the tree is dead and usually this is when I am called out to explain to the homeowner that there is nothing left but to call a removal service-not a fun thing for me obviously. After careful evaluation and some digging around the base of the tree it was discovered that Girdling roots had did this beautiful tree in not last year but 15 years earlier when first planted. Although the root crown had been buried some 6-12 inches too deep and in some hard clay soil with a wire basket and synthetic wrapping materials around the rootball and possibly a small planting hole (all great facillitators of GRS*, or girdling root syndrome) I don't fault the homeowner who planted it. I fault the nurseryman who told him to leave the wire basket on the rootball along with ball wrapping materials and rope which are made from materials that don't break down easily in the environment as evidenced by completly intacked rope found while excavating. The nurseryman didnt even inquire of the homeowner what type of soil or give any planting advice whatsoever?.
  Anyway back to the girdling root syndrom extremely common in maple trees of all types, can be prevented if discovered early like prostate cancer can possibly be even cured through observation by trained physician. An arborist who is experienced at spotting symptoms and signs of disorders such as these can diagnose it early on and prescribe remediation and corrective measures to prevent the future loss of the tree. Not unlike a doctor who sees symptoms and does tests to diagnose cancer and offers treatment options.
    Summary: A complete diagnostic check up for trees and plants and soil quite frequently is the ounce of prevention that is worth a pound of cure. I prefer the physician/ healer role to the role of coroner - Thanks.   * GRS or Girdling root syndrome- is described as a collection of symptoms produced by roots that either partly or completely compress sapwood tissues near or above the root collar flare, or result in phloem girdling.
Girdling root- A plant root that encircles the plant rather than spreading out radially from the plant.
--Definitions from the book Plant Health Care for woody ornamentals written by John LloydThe root grows over time to strangle the plant.