Bomber:

I don't remember the exact history of your potted cherry tree, but if the tree was under stress, so were the cherries. Also, young cherry trees seldom hold the cherries they set for the first couple of years. Turning brown is the visual indicator of this process.

Blossom end rot is a physiological condition of tomatoes, said to result from a calcium deficiency, and would have no relationship to what is happening to your cherries.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

Don, there is really not too much of a history, outside of my paranoia wondering if I was actually going to have a tree that survived bareroot in a box for almost a week before I planted it, and then if the growing medium drained well enough.

Yes, BER is caused by calcium deficiency and also drastic fluctuations in moisture content of the soil, so I thought maybe thats what it was.

I am still green when it comes to tree fruit. I've got berries and grapes pretty much under control (the vine needs a major haircut this winter), but tree fruit I'm still trying to grasp.

As always, thanks for the clarification!