As evidenced here, maples have a shallow root system. This red maple was planted by "professionals landscapers" who did not plant it deep enough--a problem that cannot be corrected. The result is an exposed pleated root system. Notice also the girdling roots. So why did they do it wrong: (1) did not know the nature of the species and (2) did not want to put forward the extra one time and effort to increase the depth of the planting hole.