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Pyrus Salicifolia Fire Blight?

rosebeerosebee Posts: 3
in Problem solving
Hi, many of the leaves on my Pyrus Salicifolia have turned ashy grey practically overnight. I noticed the tree wasn't looking very healthy earlier in the year and it only produced one blossom in spring. It looks like it might be Fire Blight. Can anyone confirm from the pictures and tell me if it is treatable? Thanks.


Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Fireblight is not something I have any experience of (I'm relieved to say) but it usually appears just at the ends of branches initially, then the rest of the branch slowly dies - as far as I know. But to me fireblight seems most likely.

    The only alternative that comes to mind would be a severe lack of water, but I wouldn't think entire branches would be affected so quickly.

    Either way I'm not sure the tree can be saved unless there is healthy growth lower down, then you could remove the upper part and see what happens.

    Some info here on fireblight that may help you confirm-
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/disease/fireblight

    See what others think

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • rosebeerosebee Posts: 3
    Thanks Pete.8. I wondered if it was lack of water too, but it happened very quickly so Fireblight does seem the most likely. Don't think it can be saved at this stage 😔
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Probably not. Unfortunately these things sometimes just happen

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    Fireblight is a disease of the Roseaceae family


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    I would guess lack water. Try putting the pot in a bucket of water overnight, then drain and keep watered.
    These trees have a huge amount of leafage so could collapse suddenly, especially in the drought conditions prevalent at the moment.
    You may  just about rescue it.
    They are a beautiful specimen tree if kept thinned and shaped, insect friendly blossom in Spring and a lovely form after leaf fall.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Is it in a pot though?
    I think fireblight is unlikely. It's not as common as most people think. I've never heard of these getting it.
    I've never had a problem growing them as they do very well round here, but weather has certainly been a big problem in many areas - long dry spells, wet/freeze, then mild, then dry etc. Those swings from one extreme to another can be very difficult for trees and shrubs in particular, especially larger ones. If it was struggling in spring, it sounds more like a long term problem rather than anything sudden, and the dieback would actually have been gradual, and then it seemingly becomes obvious when branches go brown. 
    Is there any damage on the branches - ie from wildlife? Birds in particular can easily break weaker or immature stems/branches, causing die back. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    You have nothing to lose by giving it lots of water and seeing if it recovers.
    If it is Fireblight then it will die.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • rosebeerosebee Posts: 3
    Thanks all. It's in the ground, not a pot and we've had a fair bit of rain so I don't think it is lack of water. There doesn't seem to be any damage on the branches either. Going to thin it out and drench it anyway to see if there is any saving it!
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