Hi Connie,

Based on the fact that you have two sand cherry trees that somehow got planted in the same hole - the issue is plant spacing and cross-pollination - check out this link: https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/faq/do-i-need-plant-more-one-cherry-tree-pollination-and-fruit-set

How Close Can You Plant a Sand Cherry to Other Plants?

While there are several factors to consider when making decisions about plant spacing, respect the minimum distances for plant health and cultivation. Sand cherries are vigorous, distinctive shrubs that aren't difficult to grow, but they do require sun to retain their best characteristics. Avoid crowding and shading from companion plants.

Sand Cherry Shrubs

Western sand cherry (Prunus bessayi) is a winter-hardy shrub for USDA planting zones 3 to 6, as wide as it is tall, with an open, spreading habit. A popular ornamental hybrid is the "Purpleleaf" sand cherry (Prunus x cistena), which has reddish-purple foliage. It's one of the first shrubs to bloom in the spring, with the flowers emerging before the leaves. You can plant sand cherries as a hedge, massed for border planting or where the purple foliage will contrast with surrounding plants. Sand cherries need full sun and moist, well-drained soil conditions.

Sand Cherry Spacing from Shrubs

Sand cherries are generally 5 to 6 feet in height and width, although there is some variation, depending on the cultivar. When planted as hedging, or in groups, space them at 5 or 6 feet on center from each other. If planted near a different species, add half the spread of the second species to half the spread of the sand cherry. That means you should plant a 6-foot sand cherry located next to honeysuckle (Lonicera species, zones 3 to 7) with a spread of 8 feet, a minimum of 6 1/2 feet from the honeysuckle.

Cherry Spacing from Trees and Perennials

Because they don't tolerate shade, plant sand cherries outside the canopy of a tree. When you plant the 6-foot sand cherry near a tree with a canopy of 20 feet, it's spaced at a distance of 13 feet. The same process applies to perennials -- planted next to a perennial with an 18-inch spread, space the sand cherry 45 inches from the perennial. Monitor all plants as they grow, and adjust as necessary to accommodate individual plant development.

The common name "sand cherry" refers to several species of fruiting shrubs within the genus Prunus. Species such as the purple-leaf sand cherry (P. x cistena) are widely cultivated within the U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 to 8 for their ornamental, red-tinged foliage and purplish fruit, which attracts songbirds during the summer. The shrubs require little ongoing maintenance and will resist drought and heat with minimal damage once established. However, regular irrigation, annual feeding, and occasional pruning will help them look their best.

1 - Plant sand cherries in a bed with full sun and fertile, fast-draining soil to encourage dense foliage growth and a deep, penetrating root system. Avoid planting them under overhanging shrubbery or trees since the shade and lack of air circulation will encourage insect pests and disease.

2 - Spread a 2-inch-thick layer of mulch around the base of sand cherries during their first few years in the garden. Leave a 3-inch space between the base of the trunk and the mulch to allow moisture to escape from the soil.

3 - Water sand cherries weekly to a 5-inch depth during their first summer in the garden to help them establish a productive root system. Let the top inch or so of soil dry out between watering to discourage fungal infections.

4 - Decrease watering after the plant's first year. Water only during periods of prolonged heat or drought. Add water at the base of the shrub rather than spraying from above since excess moisture among the foliage will create an ideal environment for bacterial leaf spot.

5 - Feed sand cherries yearly in early spring before new growth emerges. Apply a 12-12-12 fertilizer at half strength around the base of the trunk. Water slowly and deeply after feeding to push the fertilizer deep into the soil.

6 - Prune sand cherries to limit their size in winter when the shrubs are dormant. Remove up to one-third of the branch growth. Make the cuts straight across just above a pair of leaf nodes using sharp, freshly cleaned pruning shears.

7 - Prune sand cherries to improve their shape in spring after the flowers fade. Remove no more than one-third of the total branch length when pruning. Thin the interior of the shrub to encourage an open shape. Remove crossed branches to encourage airflow.

8 - Inspect sand cherries for signs of insect pests and disease year-round. Pay closer attention in spring as the soil warms. Look for cottony masses under the foliage, pale brown nodules on the stems, and a general lack of vigor among the branches.

9 - Treat infestations by pruning off the affected branches. Spray the sand cherry with a diluted solution of horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Monitor the soil moisture, and improve drainage or increase watering if the soil is too wet or dry.