The major problem is that hubbards and buttercups (C. maxima) are susceptible to Squash Vine Borer. They do send down roots at each internode so covering those with dirt does help. I have observed vines trucking along on those roots after the main root system has been destroyed. They are also large vines. Other than that they are as easy as any other squash. They are not particularly attractive to 4 legged critters.

Well... it looks a lot like the Fire Blight. The advice for treatment makes me think it is doomed. Trim all the brown - oh my, the tree is HUGELY tall and the ends of all the branches are affected. Guess I'll have to check the cost to treat it vs. take it down. Do you know if Fire Blight is likely to spread to nearby trees? There is one that is essentially touching it - a crape myrtle. Losing the pear wouldn't be the end of the world -but the crape myrtle is a fantastic Natchez with a huge canopy...

I don't know what it is, but I'm glad you posted this. I've had something similar happen to mine. They were blooming really nicely then buds began to be damaged before they opened. I don't know if it's coincidence or not, but things seemed to improve after I sprayed them with a mix of insecticidal soap and neem oil.

Does that whitish powder smear when you rub your finger across the leaf? If so it may be Powdery Mildew. A couple of controls are mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda in 1 quart of water, or make a 50/50 mix of fat free milk and water, and spray. My experience is either of these will control PM fairly rapidly.