Pear Tree Yellow Leaves - Ask Extension
I planted several pear and one apple tree from bare root stock in May of this year. The soil is pretty sandy, and I amended with a little topsoil at t...
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Pear Tree Yellow Leaves #876484
Asked July 09, 2024, 11:20 AM EDT
I planted several pear and one apple tree from bare root stock in May of this year. The soil is pretty sandy, and I amended with a little topsoil at the time of planting. They had been doing well until the last week I have noticed progressive yellowing of the leaves with red spots (mostly one pear, but noticed on the other two). The underside of the leaves seem relatively unaffected. I don't see a clear pattern of involvement, but it seems to be more pronounced in the younger leaves and apical branches. There is a blueberry plant across the garden that I planted very recently which has a similar discoloration, which makes me think it may just be drought stress. I have not been watering regularly as we have been getting more than an inch of rain a week here for a while, and all the other trees look fine. Possibly relevant is that there were a couple pear trees on the property in bad shape that were removed in fall of last year. They likely had pear scab, but I do not recall evidence of fireblight.
I feel like I'm probably missing something obvious, but I'm having trouble diagnosing. As a very novice gardener, I deeply appreciate your help.
Dakota County Minnesota
Expert Response
This is likely cedar apple rust. Japanese cedar apple rust is a good possibility. It is a relatively new disease and reportable. The bright red leaf coloration is a clue. Look for the fungi finger like growth on the underside of the leaves. It could also be ordinary cedar apple rust but I would consider reporting it to rule out a new invasive.. For a more definitive diagnosis a sample can be sent to the Plant Disease Clinic.
1. https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/cedar-apple-rust
2. https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dodge/cedar-apple-rust-of-ornamental-pear/
3. https://pdc.umn.edu/
1. https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/cedar-apple-rust
2. https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dodge/cedar-apple-rust-of-ornamental-pear/
3. https://pdc.umn.edu/