Need advice about cherry tree not leafing out much?

I have a I think what is called a cornwellian cherry tree. It is an ornamental cherry, fruit does not taste well. It was planted about 5 years ago and it has made a steady decline over the past two years with leafing out less and less. I think it may be diseased , but I dont know about the different diseases or what caused it or how to treat it. The leaves look like they have some tiny black spots on them and their are small slit holes on them as well. I was wanting to have anybody tell me what I need to do to treat it.





Also do you think it would be a good idea to crop the top of the branches on it, to give it renewed vigor before spring starts?





Thanks for any helpNeed advice about cherry tree not leafing out much?
Cherries are affected by many disease/fungal problems.The RHS(uk) offer a diagnostic service to members.Your tree sounds as though it has the start of ';shothole';,this seems to be a harmless condition that affects most cherries.If you stand under your tree,look up %26amp; the leaves look like they have been peppered with a shotgun then this is probable.I no of no remedy.Under no circumstances prune your tree when dormant,the correct time is june,July or August.Also make sure that all cuts are sealed with arbrex,if not available emulsion paint will do nicely.Any pruning should be kept to the absolute minimum as this would further weaken your tree.My advice to you would be to remove this tree,if your garden is large enough replant a diff species %26amp; try another cherry in a diff place.Hope this helpsNeed advice about cherry tree not leafing out much?
Cut back any braches growing inward to the base and any dead material, you can do this now while the tree is dormant. A local nursery could check the ph balance of the soil and tell you more about leaves. Sounds like a fungus to me. If any other trees are showing strain, it may be scale, in which case the tree should be destroyed to limit spreading. It doesn't sound like a bug problem since more leaves would present before any critters get to them.
A Cornelian cherry are actually a dogwood (Cornus mas) and can be a victim of some of the diseases and pests that afflict other dogwoods. See the following website for information on the growing conditions these trees need. Be sure to check the trunk for borer holes too. You can also go to a website called Dave's Garden. There are numerous forums there, including one on trees and shrubs. If you post a question there, you would get some good answers, especially if you have pictures of the afflicted parts that you can upload.