Kwanzan cherry trees

Anne, my kwanzan cherry trees, planted 3 years ago, seem to be dying. The limbs pop right off, the leaves that are left are yellow, brown and falling off the tree. Someone told me to have the soil tested before spraying with a fungicide. They recommended calling the local agriculture department. Could this be a cherry canker and can my trees be saved? -Beth

Anne's response:

Excessively dry weather can produce the symptoms you describe. You can usually spot a canker disease by looking for splits and shrunken areas in the bark of the plant. Using a certified arborist from one of the reputable tree services such as Bartlett Tree Co. to look at the plant is the best way to get a correct diagnosis.