Hi, 

You can review our webpage on Identifying Ornamental Cherry Tree Problems. It looks like due to the size of the tree trunk that it is an older tree and ornamentally grown cherries in an urban/suburban setting tend to have a shorter life space, about 20-25 years. We can't say that it is definitely a disease or pest problem but as the tree ages in a stressful environment, it can be more prone to these things. It could also be from the temperature extremes we have had recently through the winter and before. Weather extremes can really take a toll on trees especially in an urban environment, with the higher soil temperatures and impermeable ground surfaces ( roots can't get required water). Freeze - thaw cycles can cause the outer layers of bark to crack and split too as moisture in the tree moves and expands. If the tree has other issues like in the leaves or you notice a lot of boring holes or gummosis on the trunk (see link for photos of of different symptoms to look for) this could be causing additional stress, and causing the bark to split. 

The branch area that was removed, look like it is fairly old and starting to decay. Decay may be moving through the trunk at the end of life for the tree. Watch for fungi that appear along the trunk as usually these are signs that you should have the tree removed due to the decaying wood, to help reduce the chance of a limb falling or tree falling in a storm event. 

You could seek out on site help with a certified arborist who would be able to asses the overall tree's health and recommend any treatments to prolong its life. A consulting arborist may be able to explain the issues with out the persuasion from a commercial tree care company for treatment or pruning purposes.

In the mean time, we would recommend monitoring for other symptoms, watering during times of drought (low slow trickle at the base of the plant for a longer time to get the water to deeply soak the root area, about 1 time a week if there isn't rain), and enjoying the tree while it still blooms in the spring. 

Let us know if you have more questions with this. 

Emily