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Pear tree disease? Leaves turning black

GreedyGardenerGreedyGardener Posts: 14
in Problem solving
Afternoon fellow gardeners!

After having nurtured my potted pear tree for the last 4 years, I was hoping that this year may be the year that it would bear fruit. Unfortunately, the leaves are turning black and some look slightly mouldy (see pictures).

Does anyone have an idea of what could be causing this?

I've looked for any signs of insects and can't see any so was thinking this may be fungal...?

Any ideas on whether I can save this and whether there is a risk it could spread to my other fruit trees and potted fruit bushes?

Thanks a million!

Posts

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    I think it looks more like Fire Blight which is a bacterial disease that usually enters through young tips. They can spread deep into your tree if you don't prune back hard. In excessive wet weather, rain splashes infect the trees more easily. Hygiene of your cutting blades are essential. Do not put pruned bits into the compost. Try to prune back as far as possible, even into good wood because it's not always visible in the early stages.
  • annacrabtree1annacrabtree1 Posts: 6
    Mine has done this, too. If I trim off and destroy all the black leaves, will be tree survive and be healthier next year?
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    @annacrabtree1.  :)
    can you post some photos of the tree and leaves please. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • annacrabtree1annacrabtree1 Posts: 6
    Here's a not very good photo - most of the brown/black leaves have fallen off.  It started doing this in April this year, so not just autumnal. The tree is about 3 years old.
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    Unfortunately, the photo does not show the whole tree and also the soil area to see what your growing conditions look like. Being a young tree, it is essential the area is clear of grass and mulched well with good compost or well rotted manure. 

    Check your branches. Are there any areas that have gone very dark and look brittle? Fire blight often show signs at younger growing tips. Are there any damaged branches where areas have been worn away?

    Watering consistently is also an important part of keeping a young tree or shrub happy and growing strong. With the summer heat we had this year, you would need to keep an eye on the tree and water it well during periods of drought. 
  • annacrabtree1annacrabtree1 Posts: 6
    Thanks for your advice.  The branches all look OK, so perhaps it just got overheated while we were on holiday- I'll make sure it's well mulched for the winter (but not too close to the trunk).
  • ZeroZero1ZeroZero1 Posts: 577
    My pear tree was in a tub too and has suffered similarly. I decided to put in in hte ground instead, because I thought the soil was to weak (mutliompost. So far, very little growth - after three months. Hopefully next year
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    @ZeroZero1 the last three months are not the time of year to expect much growth from fruit trees, especially this year ... coupled with which your pear will have been so relieved to get its roots into some real soil after struggling in MPC ... it may well spend the next 12 -18 months making mainly root growth, but your tree will be all the better for it in the future  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • ZeroZero1ZeroZero1 Posts: 577
    Thank you Dove for that vote of confidence in my tree! 
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