One of my two sweet cherries died as well. What is it with these trees???

Cherries, depending on rootstock, can be very sensitive to wet soil. Plant any new trees in the drier site.

Trees that die from drowning would behave just as you describe.

f...that is advice I had never heard before. I bet that could be my problem. I always am conscious to keep my babies damp after planting....not to let them dry out.

Fireduck:

Newly planted trees need to be kept moist but not constantly wet. The big issue is from soil that has poor internal drainage, ie high water table in spring or after big rains. Mainly that's what kills fruit trees. But some people water so much that they drown the trees in soil with marginal drainage.

We had a few rains, but nothing special. I didnt water them yet this spring. The water table is high here, but like I said the sweetheart cherry only 15 ft away has no symptoms and......

I went out and looked tonight and I see there is rootstock sucker growth on the van cherry. That growth looks healthy. If it was drowned then nothing would be there.

I dont know what rootstock they came on, but I got them from Peaceful Valley, so I assume Dave Wilson nursery. Probaby Mazzard?

The good news is some of my montmorency cherry grafts took so I should have better luck next year.

Thinking F is correct. My soil is really heavy clay. Basically when planting...I end up creating a large "pot or container". There is no way around it. I throw in some gypsum. Once the tree breaks through the clay and gets established...I am good. The clay soil is a pain!