skip to main content

Gardening in the UK

Whats wrong with my pear tree?

18 years ago

Hi,

When i moved into my house in dec 03 hubby and i decided we wanted rid of the huge conifers at the end of our garden. We also contemplated getting rid of a big old pear tree (Well thats what i was told it was)

Its about 25ft tall but i decided i really liked it as it looked all rickerty and old and it added some nice shade to the garden. The tree surgeon cut it back a bit as it had lots of dead wood on it and told me it was defo a pear tree. Anyway it didnt fruit in 04 or this year and the leaves are a mottled black colour, like they are all a bit burnt. I really like it but wonder if it would be better cut down and then i could plant a new one. Does anyone know what could be wrong with it and if so what i could do to make it well again.

Lou xx

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

fonzie47
18 years ago
From my studies in horticulture, mottling of leaves suggests a possible virus invasion.
But let me add I'm not certain as I have not seen the tree.
IF it is then it would be wise to be rid of it. I say again IF it is. (fire blight?)
louholla
Original Author
18 years ago
Ok fronzie, thanks for that i will look into the fire blight, maybe see if i can see some pictures on the web. Will let you know if it is.

lou xx
Related Discussions
What is wrong with my Pear Trees
Q
Comments (9)
There are other scab resistant varieties- at least for my area in SE NY. Harrow Sweet (and Delight, as mentioned), Bartlett, Dutchess, Delicious and Magness seem pretty resistant. Bosc and Seckel, amongst others, are quite susceptible. I have found pear scab more difficult to control than apple scab and Captan and myclobutanil are not affective against it. Mancozeb is probably the best synthetic to use for it that's available to the home grower. Goddam UC Davis has swallowed the organic cool-aid. They no longer seem to provide well rounded information for home growers- whose decision is that? If synthetic pesticides are legal to use in CA it is their responsibility to supply information on their safe and affective use. If it was my trees I'd cut them down and plant more resistant varieties, though. Pears should not be so much work.
...See More
What's wrong with my heirloom yellow pear plant (PHOTO)?
Q
Comments (2)
Nothing is wrong, the plant looks quite healthy actually. The lower leaves you are referring to are called the "cotyledons" and their sole purpose they serve is to provide nutrients to the plant until it can develop a more established root system. Once they've served their function and a few sets of true leaves have emerged, they will fade and fall off. As your plant grows larger, even the lower sets of true leaves will eventually age and die off as well (though that shouldn't happen as quickly), but it will continue putting off new growth in the form of "suckers" and top growth.
...See More
What is wrong with my pear tree?
Q
Comments (4)
That is what I paid for last year, [smaller trees] for some pears and some where dead at arrival, nursery doesn't want to replace them until I make another order. The Baldwin looks fine,..just trim the dead side branch off and the top back to live wood. The other might shoot out from above the graft later in the season..wait and see,..but I can't see the graft. That's why I like to purchase in spring...no waiting, no winter loss, no rodent loss. You might want to to protect this little vulnerable thing.
...See More
Pear tree leaves black spots then die
Q
Comments (2)
I want to say its Fire Blight. If it is, cut it back to a main branch so it doesn't infect the rest of the tree. Discard the infected branches in the trash.
...See More
louholla
Original Author
18 years ago
Hi Fronzie,

Have looked on web and seen lots of pictures and it defo isnt what my tree has. Firstly it always blossoms and its fine and although the leaves then go mottled black they are not as black as Fire blight.

Lou xx
fonzie47
18 years ago
Glad to hear it's not that dreaded disease!
Next stop then, I would suggest, is to go down the road of a possible fungal invection. Scab.
Do the leaves not only look black mottled but also look blistered?
If you've had any fruit on it do they appear blackish-brown and scabby?
If so and it is scab, then keep tree open centred by pruning
remove any scabby shoots and rake up fallen leaves and burn them. Spray tree with THIRAM,or TRIFORNE+BUPIRIMATE, BENOMYL,orCABENDAZIM.
peggy pannell
12 years ago
we have four pear trees about 2 years ago one them started putting on these little balls,and no pears,which the year befor it did,now my other pear trees are doing the same thing.on one tree it as half pears and the other half are those little balls.what is it and what can i do.i would hate to lose them.there are about 8 years old.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES What's Wrong With My Plant? Leaves Often Hold the Clues

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Learn how to identify common plant ailments by reading their leaves

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: O'Suzannah Restores Pear Tree Farm

By Becky Harris

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow Your Own European and Asian Pears

By Marianne Lipanovich

Try these trees for their good looks, delicious fruit and wide range of sizes — plus you can espalier them

LIFE You Said It: ‘Every Room Should Have the Right Wrong Thing’ and More

By Becky Harris

This week on Houzz we were inspired to break out of catalog styling ruts and let our design freak flags fly

LIFE You Said It: ‘The Wrong Sink Can Make You Hate Your Kitchen’

By Becky Harris

Design advice, inspiration and observations that struck a chord this week

WORKING WITH PROS What Do Landscape Architects Do?

By Falon Mihalic

There are many misconceptions about what landscape architects do. Learn what they bring to a project

GARDENING GUIDES What’s in a Name? See 6 Wildflowers That Aren’t ‘Weeds’ at All

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Dispel the stereotypes of weeds and try these wildlife-supporting native wildflowers in your garden

FUN HOUZZ Houzz Quiz: What’s Haunting Your House?

By Mitchell Parker

Did you hear something?

GARDENING GUIDES Houzz Call: What’s Your Favorite Backyard Beauty?

By Stacy Briscoe

The simple, honest daisy is this writer’s go-to garden flower. We want to hear which plant, flowering or otherwise, gives you special joy

DECORATING GUIDES Edit Keepsakes With Confidence — What to Let Go and What to Keep

By Laura Gaskill

If mementos are weighing you down more than bringing you joy, here's how to lighten your load with no regrets

Sponsored

Remodel Repair Construction

9 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Westerville

More Discussions

Global Recognition: Certificate Attestation Services in the UAE

0