Bradford Pear Tree - Possible blight - Ask Extension
We have a large, 30 year old Bradford pear tree in Bethesda Maryland. It has developed some type of an issue with its leaves. Two pictures attache...
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Bradford Pear Tree - Possible blight #660585
Asked July 06, 2020, 3:12 PM EDT
We have a large, 30 year old Bradford pear tree in Bethesda Maryland. It has developed some type of an issue with its leaves. Two pictures attached - a view of the entire tree and a closeup of some leaves.
My questions are what is causing this? What is the appropriate response?
Your advice is appreciated.
My questions are what is causing this? What is the appropriate response?
Your advice is appreciated.
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
This looks like a rust disease, pear trellis rust, on your Bradford pear foliage.
Some rust diseases requires two types of plants, a pomaceous plant and a cedar (juniper) in which to complete their life cycle. This disease can cause some defoliation. Practice good sanitation. Rake all fallen leaves and dispose.
No chemical controls are recommended.
Overall, the Braadford pear looks pretty good and has lived a long life. Usually Bradford pears break up in wind storms due to tight branch crotches and do not live that long.
Also, we wanted to mention that Bradford pears and all Callery pears are a foreign tree that has turned out to be an invasive tree. Callery pears have taken over thousands of acres of natural or park land, crowding out the native trees that our native wildlife evolved to need. If you need to replace them, look for native trees.
Here is some good information about the whole Bradford pear story: https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/bradford-pear
It includes some good replacement trees for Bradfords in the future.
Marian
Some rust diseases requires two types of plants, a pomaceous plant and a cedar (juniper) in which to complete their life cycle. This disease can cause some defoliation. Practice good sanitation. Rake all fallen leaves and dispose.
No chemical controls are recommended.
Overall, the Braadford pear looks pretty good and has lived a long life. Usually Bradford pears break up in wind storms due to tight branch crotches and do not live that long.
Also, we wanted to mention that Bradford pears and all Callery pears are a foreign tree that has turned out to be an invasive tree. Callery pears have taken over thousands of acres of natural or park land, crowding out the native trees that our native wildlife evolved to need. If you need to replace them, look for native trees.
Here is some good information about the whole Bradford pear story: https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/bradford-pear
It includes some good replacement trees for Bradfords in the future.
Marian
