sherwindu wrote:
First check if the tree is truely dead, or just under a lot of
stress from some disease, or insect. Make random scrapings of the
bark and check that the layer
just under it is still green (the cambium layer). If it is brown,
that portion of the tree is gone. If the tree shows indications of
life, put in on a regular spray schedule of fungicide and pesticide
(if you haven't already done so). The tree may recover next year,
so don't be in a big hurry to cut it down, unless you find it is
mostly dead wood. My Montmorency had a bad spotted leaf problem
last year, but
seems to have recovered this year with a fair crop of cheeries.
You might try moving some of the dirt from around the base of the
tree to check for insect invasion.

Sherwin D.

You are recommending spraying with fungicide and insecticide when the OP
doesn't know what the problem is yet?

Idiot.

--

Travis in Shoreline (just North of Seattle) Washington
USDA Zone 8
Sunset Zone 5


zxcvbob wrote:

I've been out of town for 3 weeks; I got back last night. My sour
cherry tree looked perfectly healthy when I left, but now all the
leaves are dead and brown -- except for about 10 leaves that
aren't *quite* dead yet. I looked around the base of the tree
for signs of a peach tree borer, but nothing. I also don't see
any insect or mite damage to the leaves. The ground under the
tree is neither really dry nor really wet. I don't see any
twisted growth like you might find if someone sprayed it with
herbicide.

Any idea what might have caused this? Is there any hope for the
tree?

Best regards,
Bob