Knowledgebase

Fruit trees #751866

Asked May 24, 2021, 4:43 PM EDT

I live in downtown Lansing and I'm having issues with my friuit trees (apricot, pear, quince) From the leaves I would say they have different issues. I am spraying but it isn't working. Help

Ingham County Michigan

Expert Response

Hi Christine,

We are happy to help but, need a clear picture of each problem. Also, a little history such as, how old the trees are, what you have sprayed on them this season and when each spray was applied.

If pictures are not possible, then we can provide you with information about care, pests and diseases that you can compare with what you have.

I will watch for your additional information.

During the fall and early spring dormant season, "All seasons horticulture and dormant spray oil" was used. Currently Ortho Fruit Tree Spray is being used weekly. The trees are 4 years and less. The pear tree has leaves of black dots, the apricot leaves have orange blisters, and the quince shows curled leaves. Does that help?

On Mon, May 24, 2021 at 5:04 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 24, 2021, 5:39 PM EDT
image1.jpeg
Quince tree
Sent from my iPhone

On May 24, 2021, at 5:04 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied May 25, 2021, 1:52 PM EDT
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Pear tree,
Sent from my iPhone

On May 24, 2021, at 5:04 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied May 25, 2021, 1:52 PM EDT
image1.jpeg
Apricot tree, sometimes the blisters are red but I’m picking the affected leaves off as the come
Sent from my iPhone

On May 24, 2021, at 5:04 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied May 25, 2021, 1:59 PM EDT

I am not sure what is affecting the quince.  It is perhaps earlier cold damage when the leaves were young and tender.  I would need closeup photos of individual leaves top and bottom to make a better diagnosis.

The apricots have peach leaf curl, a fungal disease.  This is somewhat rare on apricots, some research indicates that the strain on apricots is different than the peach strain. If you have time I would appreciate a few more pictures showing the various types of leaf symptoms.  This is controlled with a late fall copper spray (after 50% of the leaves have dropped). Ziram and chlorothalonil are effective as well but may be harder for you to find. 

Pears have pear blister mite.   This is handled with dormant oil applications.

https://www.virginiafruit.ento.vt.edu/pearblister.html

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 27, 2021, 12:04 PM EDT
Well I did dormant oil applications this past fall and winter and it looks like during the summer not much can be done? Maybe I need to prune the tree down considerably since it has grown so much this past year??

On Thu, May 27, 2021 at 12:05 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 27, 2021, 12:40 PM EDT

You could consider if your oil coverage was sufficient--the right kind of oil, amount, and enough water to get good coverage.  If you have nearby woody hosts with an infestation of pear blister mite, control will be more difficult.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 27, 2021, 12:51 PM EDT
Apricot leaves

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Seimage2.jpegnt from my iPhone

On May 27, 2021, at 12:04 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied May 27, 2021, 12:51 PM EDT
New quince leaves

image1.jpeg

Seimage2.jpegnt from my iPhone

On May 27, 2021, at 12:04 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied May 27, 2021, 12:51 PM EDT
I really haven't seen any infestation on the Canadian cherry bushes or elsewhere. The one semi dwarf tree has grown to tall to adequately spray it, so I will have to cut it back to manage adequate spraying. The smaller pear tree doesn't seem to be as effected. I welcome any suggestions. Does the tree just need to be removed?

On Thu, May 27, 2021 at 12:51 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 27, 2021, 1:02 PM EDT

In the last group of pictures, all the pictures showing the peach leaf curl are from peach trees.  I looked back at your first set of leaves, and this one was also a peach....I was swayed by your photo label.  Apricot leaves are much more round.

The symptoms on the quince don't look like insect or disease.  Maybe stress from the freezes.  

It will be easier to spray a shorter pear tree, which should help with your disease issue. 

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 27, 2021, 3:36 PM EDT
Thank you! When should I start hacking on the pear tree? Maybe the tree was mislabeled when I purchased the apricot/peach tree. I guess we will know when the fruit  matures. In the meantime what can I do?

On Thu, May 27, 2021 at 3:36 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 27, 2021, 3:42 PM EDT
As you can see from the different angles of the garden it is diversified and condensed. Any suggestions would be welcome.

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Simage2.jpeg
ent from my iPhone
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Oimage4.jpegn May 27, 2021, at 3:36 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 27, 2021, 6:27 PM EDT

The normal pruning time for fruit trees is late March to mid April before there is much green development.  Some pruning can be done later than this but it is best to get it done in the next few weeks, but less aggressive, i.e., don't take away more than approximately 10% of the canopy.   

https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/smart-gardening-pruning-and-training-backyard-apple-and-pear-trees

In bringing down the height of the tree, the important point is that you should prune slightly above a somewhat dominant side limb, a so-called boss limb.  This boss limb will help to suppress a strong regrowth response at the site of the cut.  

You can see this illustrated at the following web site.  

https://www.wintergreenhouse.com/plant-guides/fruit-trees/https://www.wintergreenhouse.com/plant-guides/fruit-trees/

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 28, 2021, 8:36 PM EDT

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