The leaves never started growing in those branches in the spring. Now others are starting to turn brown.did it drop a lot of leaves earlier in the growing season? I see none on the ground now...have you cleaned them up?
Got a few more pics.Very difficult to diagnose from that picture. Need close ups of the issues. Throwing a few guesses out there. Tree is recovering from sycamore anthracnose, that can explain the lion tail look. May have some twig dieback from cicada activity. Finally I would guess lacebug on the lower leaves, this common pest is popping now.
Can't make recommendations on guesses.
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