Diseased fruiting pear tree - Ask Extension
Our tree is approximately 6 years old. Began fruiting last year. Suddenly, this summer, there are dried leaves and branches. I can't see any insects...
Knowledgebase
Diseased fruiting pear tree #873392
Asked June 17, 2024, 9:04 AM EDT
Our tree is approximately 6 years old. Began fruiting last year. Suddenly, this summer, there are dried leaves and branches. I can't see any insects. I am hoping that with some help , I can save it, but I need help in identifying exactly what is wrong. A fungus, perhaps?
Carroll County Ohio
Expert Response
It appears that your pear tree may have more than one issue. The branches with dead leaves look like fire blight, a disease caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora. Diseased branches should be carefully removed well 4-5" into the healthy portion of the branch, and tools disinfected after each cut. It can spread easily to other branches. The link below from OSU extension provides more information on fire blight and how to manage it.
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/plpath-fru-22-0
Insects may be responsible for the missing parts of the leaves, and the black spots may be a fungal issue. Primary fungi that can affect pear trees are Fabraea maculata and Venturia pirina. Additional links below describe the symptoms and treatments for these diseases. From the photos, it is difficult to tell what the fungus may be. It is important in general to maintain good sanitation by removing all leaves that fall from the tree, since any diseased leaves can help spread the disease.
https://portal.ct.gov/caes/fact-sheets/plant-pathology/disease-control-for-home-pear-orchards
https://extension.psu.edu/pear-disease-leaf-blight-and-fruit-spot
Good luck to you in further identifying the problem from these articles, and in managing the diseases. Hopefully the tree will thrive in the future. I have a weeping crabapple which had fire blight occurrence several years, and by removing the affected branches, over time it has become disease free.
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/plpath-fru-22-0
Insects may be responsible for the missing parts of the leaves, and the black spots may be a fungal issue. Primary fungi that can affect pear trees are Fabraea maculata and Venturia pirina. Additional links below describe the symptoms and treatments for these diseases. From the photos, it is difficult to tell what the fungus may be. It is important in general to maintain good sanitation by removing all leaves that fall from the tree, since any diseased leaves can help spread the disease.
https://portal.ct.gov/caes/fact-sheets/plant-pathology/disease-control-for-home-pear-orchards
https://extension.psu.edu/pear-disease-leaf-blight-and-fruit-spot
Good luck to you in further identifying the problem from these articles, and in managing the diseases. Hopefully the tree will thrive in the future. I have a weeping crabapple which had fire blight occurrence several years, and by removing the affected branches, over time it has become disease free.
Thanks so much for the prompt reply! I'll read up and follow your suggestions!
Thank you, and I hope you will find the articles useful to you.
