Hi Ron,

Thank you for contacting the Colorado State University Lawn and Garden Help Desk with your question about your Canadian cherry tree and the bare branches.

In order to diagnose your tree problem, we will need some more information. We appreciate you sending a photo of the tree in its landscape setting and a close up photo of the bare branch and twisted new leaves. Also please answer the following questions:

1. How old is the tree?
2. What kind of soil do you have?
3. How is your tree watered and have you been doing winter watering?
4. Carefully examine the trunk and branches for symptoms. Do you see any unusual growths or deformities? Are there any wounds? Bore holes? Oozing?
5. Are there any insects on the leaves that are left? Look closely for small insects like aphids.
6. Have you treated your tree with any pesticides, fungicides, or herbicides?
7. Have there been any chemicals used near the tree?
8. How much sun does the tree get? Or, what side of the yard is your tree located on (i.e. North, South)?

At this time, we do not recommend removing the bare branches until we learn more. It’s important to first identify what the issue is before we start prescribing a solution. The more information you can share the quicker we can dial in the issue so we can work together to help with your Canadian cherry tree.

Thank you in advance for the information you provide.

Warm regards,

Kelly K.
CMG Master Gardener

1. How old is the tree? About 20 years old
2. What kind of soil do you have? Clay- but planted on a terrace with added soil. Not high quality 
3. How is your tree watered and have you been doing winter watering? This tree is on the north side. About 20 feet from a 2 story house. The snow amount this year was not  often but it is very slow to melt. The tree is next to a garden and planters that get watered often. But we did not water on that side of the house.
4. Carefully examine the trunk and branches for symptoms. Do you see any unusual growths or deformities? Are there any wounds? Bore holes? Oozing? I don’t see any oozing. There are a few wounds. 
5. Are there any insects on the leaves that are left? Look closely for small insects like aphids. I do not see any  small insects.
6. Have you treated your tree with any pesticides, fungicides, or herbicides? We don’t have this tree treated as it has not had any problems until this year. We have also noted that 3 barberry bushes -2 of the barberry were 4 years old and one new last year(all had wonderful growth last year) and a few branches on a smoke bush have curling or stunted leaves. I have this feeling it may be a fungus. I have just spayed the barberry and smoke with fungicide but  no difference yet. 
7. Have there been any chemicals used near the tree? Not may chemicals - maybe a small amount placed on each weed in a crushed granite sidewalk near by.
8. How much sun does the tree get? Or, what side of the yard is your tree located on (i.e. North, South)? In the north but gets full sunlight most of the year. We have same type tree on the the north east side and in the south side . No problems with them. 
   
9. We are a little higher elevation here in Gleneagle. But also in a goofy no rain area. Most storms will divide at i25 and either go north up Baptist road or south up north gate. We do have watering restrictions in the Donala watering district. It was a very dry spring but plenty in June and now back to none…

Hello Ron!

Thank you for replying and providing us with more information about your Canada maple!

           It looks like the branches that haven't leafed out may just be from stress with the fluctuating temperature and weather this year. The quick warmth at the beginning of spring might have initiated a growth response in the tree but the following snows and hail might have stunned it into not producing more leaves on those first-leaving branches. From what I can see, it does look like it is a healthy tree and if you just noticed this happening this year that may be the issue for the tree. No need to cut back those branches as next year they should come back with foliage again.

           Regarding your smoke and barberry bushes, if you would like to send pictures of them for us to see if it is a fungus feel free to do so! If you have any other questions, please reach back out any time!

Happy Gardening,

Brooke A

Apprentice Master Gardener

Hello Ron,

I am following up and adding to what Brooke suggested. I am concerned about the larger wounded area near the crotch of the tree. When I zoomed in, there appeared to be some gumming and potential for disease symptoms. I would recommend that you have an ISA certified arborist visit and provide treatment options. Some of the branches have been improperly pruned and this can lead to stress and opportunity for the tree to succumb to disease pressures. I will attach a list of ISA certified arborists in the area. 

Thanks,

Allisa Linfield
Horticulture Program Coordinator
CSU Extension El Paso County