Hoping for some help with my young Honeylocust tree

[tdkdpt]

I planted this tree 2 years ago in my front yard and apparently at that time, I planted it too low leaving the root flare below soil level. I first began noticing something was wrong when about 3 of the main branches did not leaf out and were dead a few weeks ago. For a young tree, that's about 1/3 of my canopy!
I chatted with some and it seems my 2 options are
1.) dig out the tree and raise it to expose the root flare.
2.) regrade the yard around the tree and bring the soil level down to expose the root flare.

Does anyone have any recommendations otherwise on what I should do to save this tree?
It otherwise seems healthy and is leafing out well. The trunk does have some concerning spots as shown in the pics.

Thank you

 

[Raintree]

From the pictures it doesn't appear to have one third crown loss.
Don't see any concern on trunk spots.
You have not dug deep enough to expose the flare.
Installing a dry well around the stump is the best option. I would use pavers once you are at the proper grade.

 

[tdkdpt]

From the pictures it doesn't appear to have one third crown loss.
Don't see any concern on trunk spots.
You have not dug deep enough to expose the flare.
Installing a dry well around the stump is the best option. I would use pavers once you are at the proper grade.

Thanks for the response! I have included a picture showing a little more dirt that was taken away. I stopped once I started to get near the actual roots of the tree.
I forgot to include the picture of the bark and the canopy of the tree picture was taken prior to removing the dead branches off to the left.

 

[Raintree]

https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/honeylocust-diseases-2-939/I don't see any fruiting bodies or discoloration, your picture may just show a old transplanting wound.

 

[ElevatorGuy]

Interesting tree choice for the yard. I cut the 4 I had down and almost 4 years later they’re still sprouting everywhere.

 

[tdkdpt]

Interesting tree choice for the yard. I cut the 4 I had down and almost 4 years later they’re still sprouting everywhere.

Our neighborhood has a ton of very mature Locusts and I love the filtered shade and canopy they provide.

 

[ElevatorGuy]

Our neighborhood has a ton of very mature Locusts and I love the filtered shade and canopy they provide.

Filtered shade is right, mine were all fairly thin. I love them as firewood!

 

[capetrees]

Interesting tree choice for the yard. I cut the 4 I had down and almost 4 years later they’re still sprouting everywhere.

honey or black?

 

[ElevatorGuy]

Mine were black.

 

[capetrees]

black locust

cut one down and 50 show up for the funeral is the old saying

 

[Kanscruzer]

I cut mine down. hated them in the front yard ,,,, I would cut them down while you still can. Just sayin