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Pear tree in trouble? #667022

Asked July 21, 2020, 3:23 PM EDT

I'm trying to help someone figure out whether her ornamental pear tree is going to survive. It was just planted 3 weeks to a month ago. The meristems are producing healthy leaves, however the older foliage's leaf margin is drying out and the center of the leaf has an oblong orange/red color to it. I can't say whether it's fatal to the tree or not. It looked to be effecting 30-40% of it. Thank you!

Deschutes County Oregon

Expert Response

Thank you for your question. I believe your plant has a nutrient deficiency, specifically of magnesium. http://pnwhandbooks.dev.extension.oregonstate.edu/plantdisease/pathogen-articles/nonpathogenic-phenomena/key-nutrient-deficiencies-deciduous-fruit In order to confirm that (or other possibilities), I suggest that you have a soil test for pH and nutrient values. You can find a list of them here: https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/em8677/html. (We use A & L Western Labs in the Valley.) You can also submit a leaf sample to the OSU Plant Clinic: https://bpp.oregonstate.edu/plant-clinic Good luck!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 21, 2020, 6:23 PM EDT

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