Bart, Have you tried cutting open one of these pears? It looks like the damage I recently found on my Asian pears, which turned out to be a grub inside the pear. The dark marks on the outside are the entry points. As far as I can determine, this is the notorious codling moth. If this grub was not codling moth, I'd sure be interested to know what it is.

Zinia: Leaf dwarfing on a pear tree is a very unusual symptom, and I have to confess I am unable to explain it. I think it is worth the wait to see what it does next season, and if it repeats this performance that may be the time for concern. I am not familiar with the type of fertilizer you used, but find it hard to believe that could be responsible for the leaf dwarfing. In general, however, pear tree do not require application of chemical fertilizers in soils of reasonable fertility. Mine receive only the small shot from fertilization of the lawn the surrounds them, and I do mulch the trees about every three years. Nor do pear trees normally require much in the way of spraying, unless they are plagued with something like pear psylla, which causes black spotting of the leaves. I have not sprayed the European or Asian pears at all this season, and they are just fine, although I do spray them with dormant oil each winter. If you want to get rid of the ant colony, drench the soil with a permethrin solution or use permethrin granules. Your tree will not be injured, nor will you be poisoned by this particular insecticide, especially when applied to the soil. Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

I agree with #1 thru #3 #4 looks like Populus balsamifera (Balsam Poplar) to me. #5 I agree, Tilia americana #6 Most likely Pyrus calleryana - Callery Pear, which is known to many erroneously as "Bradford Pear" because that's the oldest, best selling cultivar. Agree with #7 and #8 #9 Eleagnus umbellata - Autumn Olive #6 and #9 are aggressive exotic invasives which you should consider trying to eradicate, not transplanting. Also, I'd say it's tempting to transplant wild growing trees and shrubs and it can be done with care, but more often than not it ends in failure. Many wild established trees and shrubs, even when still young, resent the root disturbance and don't adjust well and end up dying or taking several years to recover. Some species are exceptions though and it doesn't always end that way, but like I said often times it does. Out of the trees and shrubs you listed, I'd think the smaller Blueberries have the best chance at being transplanted and would behave the best in the landscape.

Could be a fungus like Vladimir said, could also be an insect egg or just dirt on a bit of fluff. However, I'm more concerned with how dusty the leaves are. I may just be dust or it could be the beginnings of a spider mite infestation. It's a good idea to wash off the leaves from time to time, like maybe every 4-6 weeks. Take them outside and hose them off, or if that's not possible, put them in the shower and shower them off with cool water. Then let them drain well and put them back where they were. It helps prevent spider mites as they're attracted to dusty plants. And your plants love the rinsing off!