tree problems

An account in Copperopolis has some smallish trees in the back yard.

Fuji Apple

Maple (that appears to be dead)

Pear

The Fuji apple has sapsucker damage. But what might be causing the gaps at the branching off points?

The maple appears to have started to bud, and then died.

The black on the trunk is the result of excessive spraying she did to control borers, which is what she thought was the issue.