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What is wrong with this cherry tree?

last year

The year after Hurricane Sandy, I gave up trying to save a 40-year-old crab apple tree on this spot that had been seriously damaged. I had the tree removed and the stump ground down more than a foot. In its place I had planted this cherry tree. The tree's been doing fine until this Spring. We did have a late frost (2nd week of May) and a 3-week drought. The tree's leaves seem to be smaller than usual, a bit yellower, and in particular, as the photos show, a few smaller branches have produced only a few leaves which quickly browned. I also note that one of the smaller roots (+/- 2" diameter) has girdled a larger root (4-5") on one side. A few other roots seem closer to the surface as well, which I'm not sure is a problem. Should I try cutting away the small girdling root? What else can be wrong? Thanks, guys.

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Comments (4)

cecily 7A
last year
Since the tree is surrounded by lawn, I'm interested in your lawn care practices and which products you use.
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onthebrinck
Original Author
last year
I use Scott's crabgrass preventer around Easter. After that I use Milorganite once in July and again in late September. No other chemicals.
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Not Verticillium wilt. But cherries, both fruiting and ornamental, are prone to a whole host of fungal and bacterial problems, especially in damp climates. And the Bay area can be pretty damp at least part of the year with fog and rain. I see nothing overtly problematic in the photos provided. You might want to post another of the tree overall that might be more illustrative. btw, no need to post elsewhere - the issues with a fruiting cherry are no different from those without fruit (or "flowering" cherry), with the exception of fruit development........and that does not seem to be an issue here :-))
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That gravel in your front yard is unsightly, and I suspect could even have something to do with your tree's poor health. A grass-covered lawn will moderate the temperatures much more than a dry dead gravel-paved yard. That's why in a desert temperatures can be so hot in the day and so cold in the night. For the same reason, a tree planted in the middle of a huge parking lot that is all paved over often does not tend to do so well either. Cherry trees do not tend to do so well in hot climates—especially when the humidity in the air is very dry (or conversely when it is excessively hot and humid, which I do not believe is the case here). Just my personal opinion but it was foolish of you to expect a cherry tree to thrive in a low-water desert-like garden (and I'm NOT talking about how much you water the tree itself). High temperatures and dry air, combined with full sun exposure, can create water stress on plants. This does not necessarily have much to do with how much you water the plant, because the roots may only be capable of supplying the plant with so much water, not enough to make up for all the evaporative loses in the leaves. One last thing: Your area probably has poor soil too, that is hard and sandy and does not retain water well. poor soil + water stress = dead cherry tree
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cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
last year
last modified: last year
Did you water well during your drought? If not, that could be your problem. If there is no or little rain, young, newly-planted trees need to be watered for at least the first year until they get established. I always water well when I first plant, Watering well would be about five gallons a week and out to the drip line, although maybe more since your tree looks to be a good size. Depending on where you live, you can stop watering once the ground freezes. Here in VA, I might water in winter if we have no precipitation and the temps are in the high 30s, 40s. If you don't get rain throughout the summer, just be sure to water. You can check the dryness by digging down to see if there has been enough rain to soak into the soil. We had what seemed like decent rain recently, but when I was planting, the ground was bone dry four inches down.

I would not touch the roots.
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
It's a cherry.......I'd honesty be surprised if there was nothing wrong with it!! Cherries - both ornamental and fruiting - are prone to more disease and insect issues than any other tree I can think of. Bacterial canker, gummosis, black knot, brown rot, shothole, leafspot, leaf scorch - all are common cherry ailments and all can cause leaves to brown, dry and die.

My best advice is to take samples to your county extension office for a diagnosis and treatment options, if any.

That is not a young or newly planted tree, so the advise about watering is unlikely to apply except for times of drought. I also wouldn't mess with the roots.
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onthebrinck thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

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