Pear trees affected by fungus? - Ask Extension
I have two 6 years old pear trees that have been fruiting very nicely every year. This year almost all of the fruit seems to be killed off by somethin...
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Pear trees affected by fungus? #871708
Asked June 05, 2024, 12:23 PM EDT
I have two 6 years old pear trees that have been fruiting very nicely every year. This year almost all of the fruit seems to be killed off by something. They turned black and shriveled to almost nothing. Bartlett affected more than Kieffer. Is this a fungus or bacterial infection and can the trees be saved?
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi- we can probably rule out fireblight because you would have also observed significant leaf and shoot symptoms. Please view this web page to see if your trees may have a fireblight infection:
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/plpath-fru-22-0
If we rule out fireblight, gray mold (Botrytis) a common fungal pathogen, is another possible cause. It starts at the stem end of fruits and produces a gray fuzzy growth (mycelium) on infected tissue. There are other fruit diseases but they usually develop later in summer when fruits are close to full size.
It's also possible that cold weather damaged flowers and young fruits.
Jon
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/plpath-fru-22-0
If we rule out fireblight, gray mold (Botrytis) a common fungal pathogen, is another possible cause. It starts at the stem end of fruits and produces a gray fuzzy growth (mycelium) on infected tissue. There are other fruit diseases but they usually develop later in summer when fruits are close to full size.
It's also possible that cold weather damaged flowers and young fruits.
Jon
