Question
Hello!  I need help.  I have a Kwanson Cherry tree in my front yard.  I have lived there for 14 yrs and it was totally grown when I moved in.  Anyway, it looks like the branches are dying!  Almost half of the tree have dead dry, brown leaves on it, and the other half is still green?  Nothing seems to be boring holes into it; however, the 7 yr cidada got it a few yrs ago...could that  be it?  Thanks!

Answer
Becky:
I suspect something other than this insect. Look at the trunk and larger branches for evidences of bark damage (wounds). Look also for clear/amber colored globs of hard resin on the sides of the tree- this may be boring insects. In my part of the world, the hot summers take their toll on these trees. There also may be some level of internal decay from a bacteria and or fungus, causing the branches to die. I wish there was a magic bullet, but...  If feasible or practical, you might consider pruning out the dead portions. If the dead portions are extensive and wide spread, the prognosis may not be too good long term.

Steve