My prunus subhirtella looks like it is dying?

United Kingdom

My prunus subhirtella blossomed 3 times earlier in the year but has for some weeks had shrivelled up leaves which have now gone brown and look ready to drop. All my other plants are fine. Is this normal? Could it be the dry summer? Or would it be the bark where my cat scratched it last year - I covered it with a protector and no longer have a cat so no problem, but the bark has not recovered.Will I need to replace the tree?

On plant Prunus subhirtella

10 Sep, 2009

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cherries

Answers

Bamboo

If you're worried that its dying, scrape back some of the bark from a branch or 2 - you will be able to tell if the wood is dead or not. Otherwise, if you haven't watered it, then its probably drought - cherries are relatively shallow rooting. You don't say how old this plant is, if its only been in a year or so, it would have needed a lot of water. Certainly damage to the bark might cause problems, but usually only if its right the way round the tree, not just one area. Any other signs of disease that you've observed?

10 Sep, 2009

Surrey_gard..

Thanks, that's helpful. I will have a look at the weekend. The cat damage is only on the main trunk but I can't remember if it goes all round or is only in one area. The tree is about 4 years old. Apart from the brown leaves it looks ok so hopefully it is drought as I have heavy clay.

11 Sep, 2009

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