Question
I have a mature sweet cherry tree that is showing signs of stress this spring.  Last summer we had an inground pool installed with the edge of the pool about 6 feet from the drip line.  The workers tried hard to minimize the damage to the roots, but I don't doubt there was some.  Last year the tree was covered in fruit.  This spring, only the crown has flowers and many of the lower branches appear dead.  I am very sad.  Is there any hope of the tree recovering?  Should I remove all dead looking branches, or will they recover?  Please offer some hope -- I would hate to remove this beautiful old tree -- it is about 25 feet high with about a 60 inch trunk circumference at ground level.

Thanks

Answer
First make sure the lower branches are dead before you cut them. Start near the end of the branch and scrape a small bit of bark off --if the color under the nark is green the branch is still alive. If the color under the bark is brown then the branch is dead at this point on the branch. IF not green continue down the branch scraping at intervals until you find green or reach the main trunk. I would guess the branch is dead--in this case it will not resprout so should be removed. Cut the branch off about 1/4 inch from the trunk and the wound will heal faster.

I would then fertilize the tree with 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb per inch of trunk diameter scattered around the tree and watered in good. Apply just before a rain storm and you will not need to water. This will increase the growth of the roots that were damaged from the digging. I would fertilize again in the Fall. The tree should be OK.