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Pear/Juniper Rust

David ThorntonDavid Thornton Posts: 30
in Problem solving
Good morning all.

Is there any solid advice/treatment that anyone can give with reference to Pear Rust? I know it's fungal and have read that although certain sprays can be used the elements of the unknown prevail. Also the fruit must not be consumed if treated. 

Any ideas anyone? I've also read articles that implied that this particular rust needs Juniper as a co-host.......?

There are three Pear trees in the garden and each one had it to differing degrees. 

I've attached some images

Thanks everyone 

Davey 

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I have the same on mine.
    From what I've read (on the RHS site) if there's a juniper within 1/2 mile then pears will probably get rust.
    From what I remember, when the pear leaves fall whatever it is that causes the rust move to the juniper. When the pear leafs out in the spring, they return to the pear.
    AFAIK there's not much we can do about it.
    RHS suggest removing all junipers within a 1/2 mile radius :)

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • David ThorntonDavid Thornton Posts: 30
    Thanks to Pete8 and Panseyface for your comments. Do your trees still fruit as normal?
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited August 2018
    My 6? year old espalier pear gets some rust spots each year ... not a great many and I pick the leaves off and burn them ... thankfully there's not so many that the tree looks defoliated and it doesn't seem to get worse year on year ... so far ... 

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





  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I only planted them last november, so no fruit yet and some other problems that I'm about to request help for here...
    Again, from what I've read - unless the infestation is really severe it shouldn't have a serious impact on the plant.
    Bordeaux mixture used to be available to treat it, but has been withdrawn.
    There are plenty of recipes on t'web tho.
    The reason it was withdrawn from what I recall is that farmers used to use it as a preventative so frequently and unnecessarily that over many years copper could build-up in the soil which could render it useless and potentially toxic

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • pat.toplispat.toplis Posts: 1
    How do you treat Juniper rust fungus
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    As far as I know the only treatments are copper based (Bordeaux Mixture) and they are no longer available for the reason I mentioned above

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    My neighbour and I are thinking of investing in a drone, military grade if possible complete with weapons, so we can search out this nearby juniper and destroy it.
    Rutland, England
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