can we have some closer pix .... hopefully upright ....

lawn looks like it nearing drought ... does it need water??? .. the tree or the lawn ...

what kind of cherry??? ... fruit ... flower or funiture wood ...

where are you.. big city name.. and what has the weather been like since winter ...

have you seen any cicada on it.. if not.. then its probably not a C problem ...

ken

I just took a close picture. sorry the webpage doesnt allow me to rotate the pictures although they are upright on my phone.

Maryland. Yes there were cicadas on it. there was one weekend when temperature dropped a lot to nearly 50F.

It is a flower cherry tree.

Above ground cicadas (ie ones you see) are unlikely to be a problem. If the tree was well established, it's probably some disease. If the tree was recently planted, the roots didn't get established.

If you think there's life left. Make sure it is well watered.

Thanks! What kind of disease do you think it probably could be? Shall I cut off the branches ?

"What kind of disease do you think it probably could be?"

Any of the dozens that can affect both flowering and fruiting cherries!! They are known for them.

But I think it is more of a cultural issue than a disease issue (and it's not insects). Don't cut off anything yet. Water the tree as the weather dictates but infrequently and slowly and deeply when you do. The tree might surprise you by pushing out new leaves. But IMO, it looks pretty far gone, sorry.

If you want to eliminate cicadas as the culprit, look at these pics. It is possible for the periodical cicadas to kill young trees, but you can see the damage they leave behind (from making cuts in the bark to lay eggs). Cherry trees in particular are susceptible to cicada damage.

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/cicadas