cherry tree questions from a newbie

11 years ago

Hi everyone! I'm brand new to fruit trees and have jumped in feet first by planting 3-4 trees of a variety of fruits. I planted them all this spring and the one's I'm having the most trouble with are sweet cherries. I've read a great deal so I don't THINK I've made any major/novice mistakes (that sounds a bit overconfident...so lets just concentrate on the "I don't think" part of that statement). Anyway, 3 out of 3 of my sweet cherries appear to be dying, but I'm not certain. MOST of the leaves have died ....though each tree has like 1-2 branches that still seem to be alive and holding onto their leaves. I planted them 3-4 weeks ago and have watered as directed. MY Q's are:

1) If the one or two limbs do end up surviving, will these trees forever be messed up since, at best, they will have to regrow from only 1-2 limbs on one side of the tree?

2.) Does anyone have any suggestions as to a) what is happening to them and b) anything I can do at this point to save them (if they are still viable as asked in Q #1)

3.) I hate to dig them up at this point, but I also don't want to have to wait until its too late this year to replant, thereby being a year or at least 1/2 year behind. My problem is, if I plant a "backup" sweet cherry, the only place I have left for it would be about 60 feet away. So: IS 60 FEET TOO FAR FOR SWEET CHERRIES TO BE ABLE TO POLLINATE EACH OTHER?

A little more background: I live in Tennessee (zone 7)

My trees are black tartarian and bing

They are about 4 feet tall right now

THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE

Comments (4)

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX
11 years ago
cityman:

Sounds like it might be a drainage issue. Is your soil wet and/or poorly draining and how much have you been watering? Maybe too much rain?
sautesmom Sacramento
11 years ago
Your leaves are dying how? Yellow and dropping off? Brown and crispy? Any oozing?

Carla in Sac
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thecityman, Zone 7a/6b near Nashville
Original Author
11 years ago
thank you for taking the time to try and help. We have had almost no rain at all this spring. HOWEVER, I have watered my trees 2-3 times per week, putting around 3-4 gallons of water per tree. But I've put the same amount on my other 16 fruit trees and they are all fine. SO I don't know, but I'm a bit doubtful it is overwatering...though I'm open to the suggestion and will be more careful. thanks
thecityman, Zone 7a/6b near Nashville
Original Author
11 years ago
Carla-
Interesting question.....the leaves on my tree definately didn't turn yellow. When I first put them out about 6 weeks ago, the looked healthy and covered the whole tree. Strangely, nothing changed for about 3 weeks. Then fairly quickly the leaves seemed to go from green and healthy to brown and crispy (your description, but a very accurate one). There is no oozing anywhere on the tree or leaves that I can see. and btw....it had little tiny buds where one would expect new growth to come from and they looked good, but when you touch them you realize they are dead and dried also. Remember, though, each tree still has one and two small limbs that (so far) seem to be holding on and actually show little sign of distress. SO....any of this help you diagnose? :) Thank-you.
Kevin