Are you able to post a picture? Cherry has surface roots but it is unclear how any rot on a branch is connected.

I wondered that Kilder, we have shallow rooted trees that get mowed without damaging the tree, Am I right that they are supporting roots rather than feeder roots?

Hi Pam,

The surface roots are only feeder roots. Cherry has deeper structural roots that go straight down and then horizontal - you would not see them unless you dug down.

Cherry does suffer die back of branches, so you normally just cut back a branch to where it is not rotting and the tree is fine. I find it odd that a tree surgeon would say that surface root damage would cause rot further up the tree, esp Cherry.

Right Kilder thanks.
The only problem we seem to get with the cherries is bacterial canker, not on the tree with damaged root though, where its damaged seems to thicken like a callouse, protection I suppose

It might actually have canker in the trunk, but it won't have been caused by a damaged surface root. Given the diagnosis, I'm not sure I'd trust that particular tree surgeon, but as a test to see how stable the tree is, lean on it, hard, see if it moves. If its completely stable, and you can't see any deep clefts or hollow areas inside the tree, and given the fact its showing signs of budding, I'd leave it. Although you should keep an eye on how stable it is, so that if the infection spreads, and instability occurs, you then have it removed before it falls. That could be years away though.