I see this sort of thing on my sweet cherries too. Notice how it runs along the grain. This is characteristic of bacterial canker damage, although that's not necessarily what it is, I think it likely. Also, the way the bark flares up on the sides of the wounds in the lower picture is also convincing. Notice also how it's healing in from the sides. My belief is that the disease is very active during moist, temperate weather that it likes, but then becomes less active during dry weather later in the year. During this latter time the tree is able to do some repair work, but the disease is still there gathering strength each year. Next year it may attack different parts of your tree. On your photos it looks like you can see right down to bare wood grain, all of the live tissue layer has been eaten away. That also makes me think it is BC.

ctobeyk: The regular rows of holes you see on your cherry tree were left by woodpeckers. The birds, I mean, for which there is no known treatment. If you define this as a problem, the woodpeckers are more of a symptom than a cause. They are there hunting down small crawly creatures that live under the bark surface of your tree, and the creatures are there because they have found necrotic wood or bark, which is what they eat. Cherry trees of all types, whether fruiting or decorative, have a finite lifespan, and an indication that an individual tree is on the downward slope of this curve is the mulitiplication of little creatures living under the bark. A tree that is 35 feet high is probably at least 25 years old, which is when many cherry trees begin to decline. This decline, however, is often spread over many years, and does not mean that your tree is imminently doomed. Cherry trees are subject to various forms of bacterial canker, which often shows up as lumps of hardened sap that the infection point, followed by the death of progressively larger twigs and branches. You can try to slow the process by timely pruning of infected or dead branches, and spraying the tree with a strong fungicide such as copper, but these are delaying tactics. And I don't know how you would effectively spray a tree 35 feet tall. On the other hand, if your tree shows no signs of distress other than the rows of woodpecker holes, it may not be necessary to do anything. Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

The "looseness" of the roots suggests that perhaps roots were not sufficiently loosened at planting so that they remained in the planting mix rather than penetrating the surrounding soil. If the effected branches are last year's growth, that would usually mean winter kill - a combination of cold, wind and wood that is not fully ripened. The crisping leaves on a main branch suggest a problem at the roots - no moisture is getting to the branch. (If most of the roots are still in a peat based planting mix, root rot could have set in because of excessive moisture.) Cherries are prone to many maladies and conditions this year have been perfect for many diseases. Is it worth trying to save the tree? Sure. Prune back to live wood. If possible, dig up, prune off any rotted roots and replant, making sure that the planting hole is not a "bathtub" that retains excessive water.

weird ... apparently.. contrary to what you think.. it is having light issues ... but what does that matter if it is vigorous.. and fruits ... that really is the key .. if it performs.. its not really for us to say otherwise ... it looks like there are others behind.. they may do the same ... who knows ... one thing for sure.. do NOT give it a hair cut.. into a perfect lollipop shape ... pruning for fruit production is much more mysterious ... lol ... and i would recommend you talk to the fruit peeps about such .. good luck ken PS: i have small hills in my yard ... no more than 6 to 8 feet over 50 feet ... the darn trees grow due north.. leaning into the hill [ever so slightly mind you] .. and often into the prevailing wind ... in absolute full sun.. i am sorry.. i have no explanation for such ... and no experienced tree peep has ever given me anything other than wild guesses as to why .... pps: i am wondering.. at bud/branch extension ... still due to the declination of the sun .. is it still in shade for part of the day ...