Some advice requested: there is a large ornamental cherry tree in front of each condo townhouse door; we only moved here last year, so don't know how well they have performed over the years since 1986-87 [probable year planted] but now they are getting rangy and large and this year in Saanich were noticeably attacked by caterpillars which ate holes in the rather large leaves; some trees were more badly attacked than others, but none denuded of leaves. The landscaper is gradually pruning them quite well -- last year the heavier side growth and interior growth removed, next year the tops will be pruned to bring the height down. The trees are an unknown variety of ornamental cherry with late [late May] large double pink blooms and quite large coarse leaves. Pretty when in bloom, messy after the bloom drop. Because of the attack of caterpillars, many of the other owners want to take out the trees entirely, probably also because they are getting so large. One person thinks the roots are disrupting the concrete driveways which over the years have developed some cracks [are cherry tree roots that invasive?]... a very good book on cherries I am reading does mention that in Japan, no one in their right mind would plant a cherry tree in a small courtyard. I don't want to see them cut down, as they add character to the place, although I would like to have more balanced advice just for my own peace of mind [I don't want to get into a controversy in the condo plan over cherry trees]. Some of this, I am afraid, is age-related: I have noticed in our various residences that it is always the older people [our age] who want to cut down trees... too much shade, too many leaves to clean up, too much this, too much that... rather than work on them. Do cherry trees overdo their welcome?
The Florida version of this phenomenon is for aging householders to first remove any flower beds, then shrubbery, then trees, leaving only grass.
If grafted on sweet cherry, as is often the case issues with paving being lifted often do result when there is such located nearby. Specimens so propagated may also deteriorate prematurely. Maybe hire a consultant to come and look at the situation and advise you, prepare a document to be used at any meetings or hearings that may occur.
We are doing our research, I don't know if anyone can tell what they were grafted on, but I will try to find someone - thanks. I don't think we should keep them once they really start to fail, but I'd like to try spraying and trimming.
