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How to treat disease on Cleveland Pear Tree #328068

Asked June 02, 2016, 6:06 PM EDT

Help!!  My (2) Cleveland pear trees both have developed a condition that appears to be causing the leaves to turn and drop.  It also shows signs of dying steams and has orange clusters of some kind growing.  What can I do, if anything, to treat and save them? 

Union County North Carolina

Expert Response

Your disease on the Cleveland Pear is a fungus called cedar-quince rust.  It will not kill the tree and there are no chemical controls.  The recommendation is to prune out and dispose of affected twigs and fruit.

 Here is a related article with information about this disease from NCSU Cooperative Extension:  https://granville.ces.ncsu.edu/2014/06/fireblight-and-cedar-quince-rust-now-affecting-landscape-trees/.

Thanks for using eXtension.

Debbie

Debbie D. Dillion, NC State Horticulture Extension Agent, Union County Center, 3230 Presson Rd, Monroe, NC 28112. Office phone 704-283-3729; email dddillio@ncsu.edu. Replied June 06, 2016, 6:49 PM EDT
Thank you for your response.  I am very relieved to know this fungus will not kill the trees.  However, this is the first year I have had this problem.  Does it mean it will be an ongoing issue and will I have to continuously prune the tree going forward?
The Question Asker Replied June 06, 2016, 7:02 PM EDT

This problem seems to be worse some years and not so much of a problem in others. It will be somewhat dependent on the weather and how many cedars may be nearby that are infected with this disease. 

Debbie

Debbie D. Dillion, NC State Horticulture Extension Agent, Union County Center, 3230 Presson Rd, Monroe, NC 28112. Office phone 704-283-3729; email dddillio@ncsu.edu. Replied June 13, 2016, 1:35 PM EDT

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