I have several weeping cherry trees planted along my property. We have placed garden edging blocks around the base of the tree. We also put top soil and red lava rocks inside the circle the blocks created so my neighbor's cats will stop using the dirt for a litter box. Will the red lava rock harm my trees? If so, what do you suggest I use to keep the cats out?
It should not have any adverse effects on the tree, but whther or not the cat will stay away, who knows. They can be pretty persistent once they've found a regular 'dumping area.' That being said, this article will provide some suggestions that may also help with your problem: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/cat-repellent.htm
Do deer bother weeping cherry trees?
Deer will normally eat anything when hungry enough, so there's really no guarantee that they won't bother your weeping cherry. That said, there are some things you can do, including adding 'deer resistant' plants. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/deer/deer-repellents.htm, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/deer/how-to-protect-trees-from-deer.htm, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/deer/deer-resistant-plants.htm
We planted our weeping cherry about 12 yrs ago, don't know the age of the tree at the time, but it is quite large now and we have kept up with pruning. It seems to be sending out quite a root system close to the ground surface and we have noticed many one stalked "sprouts" and some have branched out. These stalks are starting to leaf out but the tree itself is flowering only right now. Do these trees send up shoots? We just noticed how many there were and wondered how we missed them but we have many perennials planted around the tree, none of which have large roots like this. Some of the shoots are coming out of some good sized roots at ground level. Will it hurt the tree if we chop out part of this root system? If we just cut off the suckers, I'm sure it will keep sending up more. Thanks for any advice you may have.
Trees normally start sending up more suckers when they are under more stress than usual. You can cut the suckers off, but I would not cut the roots out, as this will cause the tree more stress and possibly kill it. The best way to reduce the suckers is to figure out what is causing stress to the tree and reduce this stress. It will put out fewer suckers.
Can you start a weeping cherry tree from a branch that you have to cut out of the original weeping cherry tree? I am having to prune back a snarled branch for our weeping cherry and would like to know if it is possible to start another tree from this branch.
Mostly, growers start new weeping cherry trees by grafting cuttings on to hardy root stocks. Some success with rooting softwood cuttings under intermittent mist has been noted. No reason you can't try - take cuttings from the ends of the branches, 2 leaves and 3 or 4 nodes, dust with rooting hormone, and place in rooting medium, and cover to conserve moisture. Use a lot of cuttings, if you're lucky, a few will root. Here's an article with info about rooting cuttings: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/how-to-root-cuttings-from-various-shrubs-bushes-and-trees.htm
Does the white weeping cherry tree have cherries on them or do they just call it that for a reason?
Weeping cherry trees are related to sweet and sour eating cherries, but they re grown for their ornamental flowers and foliage, rather than fruit. While they do produce small fruits, humans consider them inedible, although many birds relish them. This article tells you more about weeping cherry: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/weeping-cherry/weeping-cherry-growing-tips.htm
I have a weeping cherry tree that has a black fungus on it. The branches are dried out and seem to be dying. How do I get rid of it and should I cut the branches off?
Is it soot-like in nature? If so, this is sooty mold fungus, usually brought about by insects, like aphids. You can treat the tree with neem oil, which will take care of whatever pest may be attacking the tree as well as the fungus. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/how-to-get-rid-of-sooty-mold.htm, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/problems/pests/neem-oil-uses.htm
Will my weeping cherry be okay? The rabbits ate it down to a stick.
If the tree isn't girdled, it will likely recover. I would cover the lower trunk with a protective paper or tubing to protect it from further damage. This article may also help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/how-to-keep-rabbits-out-of-gardens.htm