Same problem here, except the bark is not damaged. Planted the North Star sour cherry bareroot in January. It leafed out fine, but something kept eating the leaves. Never have seen what it is, so I spray chemical poison every week. Still, the leaves were small and would not grow. I cut back about a 3rd the length of the limbs, thinking my roots needed less pressure on them. That seems to have helped a small tiny bit. It's been a dry Spring here, so too much water shouldn't be an issue. I do water about once a week if needed (id dirt is dry under mulch). I'm thinking cherry trees are not made for the south, I'll probably replace them with nectarine, peach, and plum if this keeps up. My whip stellas are growing leaves, but aren't making limbs...maybe I'll cut them back since they're about 6-7 feet tall.

It could have some type of canker, there appears to be some black around the bud areas. Sometimes there is nothing anyone can do. It appears to be a very young tree and it is possible you bought this tree with problems. Did you buy it from a reputable grower that stands behind it's trees? if so they should replace it. I am on my third Montmorency tree, the first one after bearing for several years just came apart at the graft and fell over, clean break. The second one lived one season, but was replaced free by the nursery. This one has cherries on it for the first time, but the base of the trunk has cracks in it. I believe it will make it, but time will tell. Here the sour cherry is the easier to grow. Don't be so hard on yourself, I replaced 7 fruit trees this year, it happens.

"Failure to thrive" is something most of us have seen. The roots have to become established for a young tree to really start growing. This may not happen if the tree was rootbound in a small pot when you bought it. Or your soil may not be right. If it's not well-drained, the roots can die from lack of oxygen.

Also possible that you have damage to the trunk below soil-line, as cherries get borers.

Thanks everybody for your replies so far. I contacted the nursery and they said it looks like it's trying to push through and to let it go until it's dead, and then they'd replace.

It's been about a week, here are some updated pictures. It's certainly not getting better... Anybody have any thoughts about what could be wrong?

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I don't know if someone mentioned borers or not but that's kind of what mine did after they were attacked.

Given the poor growth of your lawn I would consider some major soil amending and perhaps growing trees on berns. I think you need to contact your cooperative extension and get help on soil issues. Just a hunch from the photos- accurate diagnosis is impossible from afar.

Ryan, fruit trees are a lot of work. I don't know whats wrong with your tree from the pictures but something set back its start or else it had too little energy to begin with. I doubt it is overwatering, in spring trees are often swimming and they do fine if it dries out as spring ends. In any case just wait and see, I have had trees in that small-leaf state die and I have had others manage to pull up. I wouldn't do anything unless you see a bug or disease on it. Hman could also have a point about your soil; if you are in a new development you may have that legendary topsoil-free stuff which requires serious amending.

Scott