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Apple / pear tree issues - help!

emma688emma688 Posts: 22
in Fruit & veg
We moved in to a new house and inherited a range of what we think are Apple and pear (?) trees.

the majority of them are looking fine, but two of them have obvious issues. 

Tree One is looking droopy with black spots on the leaves and with the new growth looking curled and not developing. It didn’t flower this year.

Tree 2 is looking very sparse, with brown curled leaves. It flowered but then they look to have died.

There are no obvious signs of aphids. When we viewed the house at the same time last year they looked fine. 

Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated as I don’t want any issues spreading to the other trees.

thanks

Emma


Tree 1

Tree 2
Tree 1
Tree 1
Tree 1
Tree 1 

tree 2 

Posts

  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    I’m wondering if they have been watered enough . They look like young unestablished trees to me from what I can tell from your pictures .Try soaking their roots with a couple of buckets of water every 2-3 days ,or evenings . See if they improve.
  • emma688emma688 Posts: 22
    It’s what I initially thought as well but we’ve had so much rain the past week or so and they don’t seem to be improving. I think they’ve been planted between 2-3 years ago.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    edited June 2023
    There should be a grass-free area around each tree about 1m across - that will allow the rain to penetrate.
    The grass is also using nutrients that your trees need.

    Your trees don't appear to be staked.
    The problem that causes is that when the wind blows the whole tree rocks, that causes the fragile hair-like roots (that provide water and nutrients to your tree) to break as the tree rocks - so that is starving your tree of both water and food, as the feeding roots never get a chance to grow.
    If you want your tree to be healthy and provide fruit, this is what is needed - 
    It is important to use a proper tree-tie to secure the tree to the stake.


    Note also that there's a layer of mulch (compost or [even better] rotted manure).
    That will help retain moisture in the ground and will feed your tree as it breaks down.

    Your trees can be fine, but they need some help especially in the early years.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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