We live in Massachusetts. Spring 2010 was a bit wet and warm. Our weeping cherry bloomed as usual. However, there were a few hard freezes while the tree was flowering before the leaves came. We had very few leaves on the tree after that and also the summer was horribly dry. The tree was watered but nonetheless it didn't seem to do well. This spring there is nothing on the tree but there don't seem to be any bugs or that type of damage. However, we can easily break off the branches and it appears to be dead due to shock. The tree is probably close to 15 years old and we've never had this problem. Is the tree dead? How do we know? Help!
I'm sorry about your tree, Maisy1. There was a tree at UBC that interested us last year, we thought maybe something new and interesting, and it just died during the winter too, while everything around it seems fine. I see a web page mentioning that a tree that seemed healthy during drier years may die during a wet year because the soil is holding too much water. Also, there are diseases that attack the root. If you're considering planting another cherry there, it would be good to make sure that it wasn't a fungal disease that killed it that is still in the soil.
Thank you! It's perplexing and bewildering, just as you mentioned, everything else was OK so what happened? At least we did have it for several years, have pictures, and the memory of it was that it was a lovely tree. Still unsure as to cause - but thank you on the heads up about possible fungal infection. We certainly don't want a repeat!
