Question
leaves have brown spots and seem to be withering....the trunk bark is splitting....and peeling.....they are two years old what is the problem and what do I need to do to save them....if this is serious.... thanks

Answer
A vertical split that occured over the winter is probably frost cracking or sunscald. Young maples are particularly susceptable to sunscald. Sunscald is basically a bark injury and the tree will usually quickly recover. Frost cracking is caused by rapid fluctuations in temperature allowing water in the tree to freeze and split the tree - frost cracking can be quite deep.
This sounds like sun scald.
The bark splitting isnt something you can really do anything about after the fact. You can gentlly cut any loose bark off --this will allow the tree to heal faster.
Sunscald or sunburn occurs in late winter when the sun is bright ?especially if new snow is on the ground. Sunscald usually occurs on the south or southwest side of a tree. Thin bark on the tree is warmed enough to become active. When temperatures fall sharply at night, the inner living bark is killed. Thin-barked trees such as maple are most susceptible, especially when young.

Control: Sunscald on newly planted trees may be prevented by wrapping the trunks with burlap, kraft paper or special tree wraps. Trunks may also be shaded on the south and west side with boards or screens. The tree wrap can be found at most nurseries.