Signs You May Be Overwatering Your Cherry Tree

Cherries are among the most beautiful types of fruit trees you can grow at home. Not only do flowering varieties provide color through spring and autumn, but established fruit-bearing cultivars also make it possible to harvest cherries for some of your favorite homemade recipes. There are more than 200 cherry tree varieties you can plant and grow around your home. While each cultivar can offer unique benefits, cherry tree species also have a lot in common when it comes to growing and care. If the foliage of your cherry tree is starting to look like it's yellowing or withering, and if the surrounding soil constantly looks wet, these could be possible signs that it's getting way too much water.

Overall, cherry trees are easy to grow, but excess water is a common issue compared to underwatering. When you provide cherry trees with too much water at one time, or perhaps more frequently than is needed, you are definitely overwatering them. This can spell trouble for the tree's overall health because it deprives the plant of adequate oxygen they need to grow properly. Also, when cherry trees are exposed to soggy, poor-draining soil, they may be at risk of developing a fungal disease called root rot. This common, but serious, plant disease attacks the entire root system and can cause poor growth, yellowing leaves, and death. You might even notice an overwatered cherry tree producing fewer flowers or fruit. Avoiding too much water is just one way you can help prevent stunted growth and root rot in your cherry tree.

An overwatered tree may start to show poor signs of health, particularly in new growth. This includes new leaves that turn yellow or brown, and those that wither before they mature. When you touch the leaves, they might even feel brittle. Unfortunately, some of these signs of overwatering are similar to signs your cherry tree isn't getting enough water. Usually a tree that is overwatered will have a combination of withering leaves along with healthy looking ones, though. Compare this to an underwatered tree, which typically causes more widespread brittle foliage. 

When in doubt, it's important to go the source of your cherry tree's water problems. Since these types of trees also tend to have shallow roots, you can dig a little bit into the soil to see what these look like. Root rot can cause them to turn dark with a slimy texture. You can also just stick your fingers at least 6 inches into the soil to tell whether it's oversaturated more generally. While not foolproof, using a moisture meter can also give you an idea of how much water your cherry tree's getting.

In most cases, an established cherry tree doesn't need much supplemental water outside of rainfall. You might only need to check the tree and water it on an occasional basis, though you can make an exception if you're in the middle of a drought. In these cases, you should irrigate the tree with 1 inch of water or more every week. Cherry trees planted in well-draining soils may also survive for several years, depending on the variety.