Is my Ornamental Cherry Tree Dying?

Question

I have an ornamental cherry tree with red leaves and flowers, 10 – 15 years old and a bit gangling. From early May the leaves have started to dry up and are now mostly brown. I’ve put gallons of water into the roots without success. Is it dead or can I revive it?

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Answer 1

Unfortunately, from that angle and lighting behind the tree, it is hard to see anything.

Likely overwatering caused an infection, and continued overwatering allowed the infection to take over.

Now is the time of year for many infections. To treat it, it will help to know exactly what is wrong with it. This article will give you information on some of the more common diseases of Cherry Trees:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/cherry/cherry-tree-diseases.htm

Answer 2

I don't believe it was overwatered. The leaves and flowers started to dry out and wither during the hot & dry spell in April and May, before I did any watering, merely to put some moisture into ground which was bone dry. The ground there drains well, but it did take a pounding during the previous very wet spell (when naturally I had no need to water the tree), though leaves still looked OK then. It did this to a lesser extent last year but seemed to have recovered when the leaves opened earlier this year. Certainly none of the other diseases mentioned in the article resemble what has happened to the tree. I will let it go for this year and see what happens next spring. I had been wondering whether I should prune it, but none of the advice seems to suggest that, so I won't. Thank you.