Question
The tree is about 25 ft. tall, stands alone in the front yard getting full sun. We live in the Twin Cities, east central Minnesota. We have not had too bad of a drought, we have underground sprinklers and the system waters for 25 minutes each zone, every other day.  You mentioned leaf gall, which someone else suggested, but how do you get rid of it? The tree hasn't looked good for 3 years.

Answer
Hi there. Sounds like you need a good certified arborist. However here is some gall info
Control Hints
Since these leaf galls of trees do not cause any real harm to the trees, control measures are not generally needed. Tree owners and tree managers are encouraged to learn about the life cycles of these pests and learn that no lasting damage will result.
Dormant Oils - Use of dormant oils on maples is discouraged because leaf and twig damage can result unless the tree is truly dormant. However, some reports of success have been made where the trunk has been drenched with dormant oil to kill the overwintering stages of the bladder gall and spindle gall mites.
Standard Insecticide/Miticide Sprays - Several insecticides and miticides are registered for control of gall mites (eriophyid mites) and gall midges. If these products are to be used, they have to be applied precisely when the new leaf buds are opening. Most sprays have little, if any, effect because the window of opportunity is very short. Once the gall has formed, it is too late to make an application. See Bulletin 504 for a listing of currently registered pesticides for management of gall mites and gall midges.
Systemic Insecticides/Miticides - Several systemic pesticides (sprayed, soil injected or trunk injected) have been recommended as useful in controlling these gall forming pests. However little evidence of success has been found in the current literature. Once the gall has formed, it is too late to make an application. ________________________________________