Seasonal changes of water potential, stomatal conductance and transpiration were studied from May till the end of October 1994, in the leaf of cherry-trees (Prunus avium) grown in the shelter and planted at four tree densities: 100, 200, 625 and 1600 stems/ha (10m X 10m, 7m X 7m, 4m X 4m and 2,5m X 2,5m spacing). The spacing treatments did not seem to affect the internal water status of the sheltered cherry-tree. The seasonal pattern of conductance and transpiration generally responded to the leaf water potential pattern. The stomatal conductance and transpiration in the leaf of the sheltered trees were higher by the end of July, than that of the unsheltered-trees. Stomata seemed to correspond firstly to the increase of Vapor Presure Deficit (V.P.D.) and then to the decreased of the leaf water potential, preventing water loss for both the unsheltered cherry-trees and the herbaceous species. These findings support the concept that the sheltered cherry-trees were less adaptable to drought conditions than these grown out of the shelter.