Given your concerns cherries are about the last fruit tree you want. They are a pretty tree but even that won't last long in your climate. They didn't even last long in my dry climate. Get something like a persimmon or mulberry. They look good and have much less issues with fruit and tree.

Thanks, that's kind of what I figured! Hmm I'll just have to find something else. Mulberry might be a good option for us

I used to live in Henderson, TN just south of Jackson. I planted quite a few fruit trees, sweet cherries included. Did quite well with everything, but the sweet cherries. They will sell them to you down there of course, but I found out quickly the heat and humidity were tough on them! Back here in N. Indiana I have had some limited success, but they still take a lot of effort!!