What's wrong with my cherry tree? (trees, violet, leaves, planting)

[RDUBiker]

We have two up front - one has a normal canopy that has evenly distributed, healthy leaves and branches. The other appears to have some sort of problem - there is a large "vein" of something eating the trunk and only about 20% of the tree appears normal and healthy - the rest looks sickly but still has leaves. See photos below. What is going on, and can I help this tree recover? How?

[brooks2007]

Could this apply? States the number 1 tree complaint re: split bark is the Kwanzan Cherry.

Bark Splitting on Trees factsheet (http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactSheets/barksplitting/barksplit.htm - broken link)

OR

http://www.treesforyou.org/Planting/...lthy/trunk.htm

[RDUBiker]

Originally Posted by brooks2007

Could this apply? States the number 1 tree complaint re: split bark is the Kwanzan Cherry.

Bark Splitting on Trees factsheet (http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactSheets/barksplitting/barksplit.htm - broken link)

OR

Trunk Cracks

Thanks...that's possible, but it sure looks "diseased". The split is pretty big and I'm not sure I have the ability to cut around it like they show.

[Bulldogdad]

I would get an arborist to come out and look at it. If you really value this tree get an evaluation from a certified arborist.

[RDUBiker]

Originally Posted by bulldogdad

I would get an arborist to come out and look at it. If you really value this tree get an evaluation from a certified arborist.

How do I find someone qualified and reasonable?