Poor leaf growth on cherry tree

Question: What can I do for my flowering cherry tree? This year it had lower than usual blooms, but more concerning is that is has not fully leafed out.  What is wrong and how can I help it?

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 06, 2023, 11:54 AM EDT
response: Hi,  Do you know about how old the tree is? Flowering cherry trees in our climate and most suburban and urban environments have a general life span of about 25-30 years and then they usually start to decline for various reasons. You can explore our webpage on Identifying Ornamental Cherry Tree Problems and see if you notice anything specifically. Examine the trunk and see if you see any sap weeping (its probably dried now) but also any borer holes in the wood.  At the base does it look like there are roots wrapping around the trunk and girdling the tree? You can send additional photos of anything you may see.  If you are hoping for a treatment, then it would be best to contact a certified arborist to help assess the whole health of the tree and if necessary they can offer either advice for treatment or recommend removal.  Let us know if you find anything further and if so feel free to send in more photos or ask further questions in this response.  Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 06, 2023, 4:25 PM EDT
response: Hi EmilyThank you for your response. I think the tree is about ten years old. I’ll try some of the things the web page suggests but I don’t really see any evidence of insect or vole activities. We may end up having to hire an arborist.  But just to double check, do you think the tree is showing signs of stress? We did have a cooler than usual spring followed by extended dry period this year.  However all the other trees in my property (silver maples and river birch) seem to be fine. Fully leafed out. Thanks againCindy Sent from the all new AOL app for iOSOn Thursday, July 6, 2023, 11:54 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 06, 2023, 4:33 PM EDT
response: Yes it is showing significant stress and should be more leafed out than that and appear more full. If you haven't been irrigating this spring/early summer, it would probably be helpful to water about once a week for about 15 min at a slow trickle of your hose placed that the base.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 06, 2023, 4:56 PM EDT
response: I can do that.  Thank you!Cindy Sent from the all new AOL app for iOSOn Thursday, July 6, 2023, 4:33 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 06, 2023, 5:50 PM EDT
response: You're welcome.