This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Problem with pear trees
I have a couple of very young pear trees and a lot of the leaves are looking quite unhealthy in places and are quickly turning black. I planted them last summer. I'd greatly appreciate some suggestions as to what it can be and how to treat it. When I gently rub the underside of the leaves a white fluffy substance comes away. I think I might have a few different problems going in with them as you can see from the photos. Thanks in advance for any advice. 






0
Posts
The usual advice for fungal infections on edibles is to remove the infected leaves, but only if there are just a few. Otherwise leave them.
Remove all the leaves that fall to the ground (especially in autumn - to help break the cycle) and do not compost them.
Mulch in spring and generally look after them, and keep your fingers crossed.
I may be wrong, but if there's grass growing around the base of the tree (from photo) the grass can make the problem worse. It'll also use valuable moisture and nutrients. You should keep an area about 3ft around the tree that free of weeds and grass.
As they're still young trees don't them dry out in this hot weather.
I have 4 cordon pears and 1 tree.
I found 2 leaves on one of the cordons yesterday that had the same markings as yours, so I removed them and will keep an eye out.
Pear rust may also occur (mine get it every year) there's not much you can do about that either other than follow the same advice as above.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.