Question
The well with rocks in it around the trunk was there for years, and seemed to  catch the rain water and deep feed the roots. When the driveway was repaved, the well became smaller and less deep. perhaps the rocks were closer together in the well also. So it doesn't seem that the rocks themselves were a problem, perhaps just the new arrangement - not allowing enough water to get into the roots?
-------------------------------------------
The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
First one limb died, and then another on this 4 foot diameter copper beech. Just before this the tarmac around it had been re-paved, and the rock filled well around it's trunk decreased in size and depth. A tree man who came to diagnose said it is a fungus most likely, or just the tree is too old and will die. He claims the cutting for the driveway and repaving have nothing to do with the trees illness.
It is so majestic, and I think our condo board should allocate money to get a real expert in to figure out what happened/is happening, and try to cure the tree.
What do you think? and can you recommend how to find an expert in such things/copper beech trees.
Thank you very much. Andrea B.

-----Answer-----
Sounds like the re-paving and the rock filled well has damaged the root system and killed some of the roots. In response the tree crown is dying back. The weight of the rooks and the lost of soil and water from the pavement that covers the ground will cause the roots to die. IF you are in the U.S. I would check with your local State Forestry Agency and ask one of their Foresters to come rake a look and see what he would recommend. This is a free service. They can recommend someone who can solve the problem. More than likely the pavement and rocks will need to go or be changed.

Answer
I think it is both--the size of the rock "bed" along with the increase in pavement and the weight of the rocks on the root system. Probably not much that can be done for the pavement but the rocks can be moved. Contact the local forester and see what he says.