New Cherry tree problem (brown leaves)

[Mark Lottie]

Hi all

I planted a 2 year old Cherry tree this year in March (Variety=Stella) and it seems to have gone wrong.

It seemed to go in ok originally. It doubled in height and had green leaves. It was originally from a pot but didnt seem potbound. The area around it isnt the most free draining but the apple right next to it is ok. Although we had a few dry periods over the last month, we are only talking about 4 days or so without rain at a time.

We noticed the leaves starting to brown about 10 days ago

I cant see any bugs on there.

Any ideas?

thanks!

[orangepippin]

It might be a fungal infection, but it could equally be just lack of water. It sounds like it started to grow quite vigorously and it will have definitely needed active watering.

[Mark Lottie]

Thanks mate

[FB.]

I would guess canker (not the same type which attacks apples; plum and cherry canker is usually bacterial whereas apple and pear canker is usually fungal).

If not canker, then lack of water. But if it was able to double in height, I'd expect it to have plenty of strength to send out new roots to find the water it needed as the soil dried out.