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Ussurian pear issues #749232

Asked May 11, 2021, 7:54 AM EDT

I have an ornamental Ussurian pear (Mountain Frost variety) that has failed to bloom the last two years. Leaves emerge and start to develop the lesions (photo attached from yesterday). Eventually they get worse and fall off. This is supposed to be the most resistant pear type to fire blight, so Ive ruled that one out possibly. Pear is supposed to be tolerant to alkaline soils, but I am wondering about iron and/or other nutrient deficiency.

Yellowstone County Montana

Expert Response

Hello

Your question has been submitted to Michigan State University Extension.

Unfortunately, the system doesn’t allow me to assign your out-of-state question to a fruit expert. I can try to help you with some resources.

Common reasons fruit trees don’t bloom-

Frost or freeze damaged flower buds.

Tree is too young.

Too much nitrogen fertilizer.


https://plantvillage.psu.edu/posts/3862-pear-pear-trees-that-don-t-produce-fruit

Your leaves do not look yellow, so iron chlorosis is not likely a problem. However, a soil pH test from a reliable lab will tell you if your soil is too alkaline. Pears prefer soil at pH 6.0 to 6.5. But, Ussurian pear is listed as tolerating a wider range from 5.0 to 7.5. Garden sulfur is used to lower soil pH. But, you must have a starting point to know how much to apply- https://landresources.montana.edu/soilfertility/soilscoop/ss_SoilTestKits.html

- https://www.riley.k-state.edu/docs/lawnandgardenandother/Acidifing%20Your%20Soil.pdf

I can not diagnose the spots on the leaves. Here are some resources, while they are for fruit trees, ornamental pears can be treated similarly-


https://portal.ct.gov/CAES/Fact-Sheets/Plant-Pathology/Disease-Control-for-Home-Pear-Orchards


https://plantpathology.ca.uky.edu/files/mw_home_fruit_productn_b591.pdf

And fire blight for ornamental pear


https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/landscaping/fire-blight-of-ornamental-pears/

If your local Montana Extension can not help, you may contact MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostics Lab to see if they can assist with diagnosis of the leaf spots. During Covid you first email them your question and pictures, including one showing the whole tree. <personal data hidden>

There may be a fee for their service.

They may request you send samples afterwards, and their sample submission instructions, form, and fee schedule is on their website. https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/

I hope this is some help!

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