RWL wrote:
[...]

The nurseries around here don't seem to carry fruit trees. I've had
three Cherry trees from Miller Nurseries never quite turn the corner
and die in a few years. This year I was delighted to find cherry
trees at Wal Mart since they weren't bare root. I bought the tree
shortly after its arrival and it appeared to be in good shape when I
planted it. I watered it with 5 gallons about once a week. In early
spring here there was adequate rainfall, and when we had a week with
perhaps an inch of rain, I didn't water that week. The tree got as
much water as other trees I've planted which survived. I'm not sure
what was wrong with this tree.

RWL

A tree takes 2 to 5 years to establish, so as long as the tree is
actually surviving, I wouldn't worry too much. It's early days yet --
wait to see if it puts out new leaves later this season. Partial dieback
is common in the first year or two, and often transplanted trees seem do
to nothing at all for the first couple of years.

I also assume that the tree is suitable for your Zone - cherries are
fussy, and if you're in a fringe area for cherry trees, there will be
problems. They don't like the cold, and they don't like the heat.
Walmart and other big box stores etc often sell material that is _not_
suitable for your Zone. That being said, here are a few additional
points to consider, for any transplanted trees.

a) If the soil has layer of water retaining stuff at the wrong depth,
you may actually be drowning the tree's roots. Soil should be moist but
not wet.

b) While extra watering is needed in the first year of transplanting a
tree, after that it should receive no more than any other plants in your
area.

c) Over-watering can leach fertilisers from the soil.

d) Use a specialised tree and shrub fertiliser as recommended. I used
spikes at the drip lone the first couple of years after transplanting an
oak, which helped it establish it. (It was about 2-1/2 ft high 25 years
ago, and now is approaching 30 ft.)

e) It's not too late to give the tree a dose of bone meal to help it
develop its root system. If the drip line is about 3 ft out from the
trunk, work about a pound into the top soil under the tree and about 1
ft beyond the drip line, and water lightly. Then water as usual.

f) There should be a circle of well mulched cleared soil around the
trunk of the tree, about 3 ft in diameter.

g) Finally: while trees are generally very adaptable, soil that is too
acid or too basic is not good. Do you know the pH of your soil?

HTH&GL