Knowledgebase
Pear tree leaves #837499
Asked June 25, 2023, 9:34 PM EDT
Benton County Oregon
Expert Response
Dear devine523, here's the response to your question:
Thanks for contacting ask extension. Quick question. Do all of the affected trees have splits (canker) in the lower section of the trunk?
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Deb K
Benton County Master Gardener
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The canker may be a different problem not directly related to the leaf damage.
To help me dig deeper I need a little more information.
1. Have you had the problem with the leaves in previous years? Do you see damage on the fruit now or in previous years? If so, can you describe the damage?
2. Are there small holes in the trunk?
3. The picture (PXL_20230627_000459479.jpg) looks like it has a growth in the crack of the trunk. Can you give me a few more close up pictures of it. Also a description of what it looks and feels like?
4. Lastly, do you see any ooze coming out of the trunk?
Looking forward to hearing back from you.
Apparently, only sends your reply email. It did not include my original question where you added your answers.
Would you please copy that entire text (my questions and your answers) and paste in a reply to this email?
Thanks so much.
1. Have you had the problem with the leaves in previous years?
Maybe a little curling and perhaps a little browning, but nothing like this year.
Do you see damage on the fruit now or in previous years? If so, can you describe the damage? No, pretty much the fruit has been fine. We didn't HAVE any fruit last year, but we hear lots of people didn't. (?)
2. Are there small holes in the trunk?
Not sure what you mean by "small" (pin size, a quarter?) I tried to send photos to answer that.
3. The picture (PXL_20230627_000459479.jpg) looks like it has a growth in the crack of the trunk. Can you give me a few more close up pictures of it. Also a description of what it looks and feels like?
The growth is definitely woody, not soft or sticky. Feels hard.
4. Lastly, do you see any ooze coming out of the trunk?
Nope. Never have.
Hope this second attempt works! Thanks for persisting.....
Thank you for the additional information. I believe we are dealing with a fungus, likely pear scab, brought on by the wet spring we had this year. The fungus overwinters in leaves and sometimes twigs so your best defense is to clean up and trash all dropped leaves and twigs. Prune out any twigs that have lesions on them. Also give your tree a general pruning to clear out branches that are too close together. This will increase air circulation which will give the tree a better chance to fight off the infections. Avoid using a sprinkler that will get water on the leaves, or if you use a sprinkler, water before noon to allow leaves to dry. Following these practices should keep the fungus in check in future years. (This regiment will also help keep codling moth populations down.)
I believe the canker on the trunk of the tree is due to some type of mechanical injury which occurred in the past. The holes are probably from a sapsucker and not a borer insect. Be sure to maintain your trees health by providing regular watering throughout this summer.
You mentioned that you and others did not have a crop last year. There were many areas in Benton County, that experienced a cold, wet spell at the same time the pear blossoms were in bloom. This cold weather prevented the bees from pollinating the trees. It looks like they did their job this year!
Happy gardening! Please contact us if you have further questions.
Deb K & Jennifer G
Dear devine523, here's the response to your question:
Thank you for the additional information. I believe we are dealing with a fungus, likely pear scab, brought on by the wet spring we had this year. The fungus overwinters in leaves and sometimes twigs so your best defense is to clean up and trash all dropped leaves and twigs. Prune out any twigs that have lesions on them. Also give your tree a general pruning to clear out branches that are too close together. This will increase air circulation which will give the tree a better chance to fight off the infections. Avoid using a sprinkler that will get water on the leaves, or if you use a sprinkler, water before noon to allow leaves to dry. Following these practices should keep the fungus in check in future years. (This regiment will also help keep codling moth populations down.)
I believe the canker on the trunk of the tree is due to some type of mechanical injury which occurred in the past. The holes are probably from a sapsucker and not a borer insect. Be sure to maintain your trees health by providing regular watering throughout this summer.
You mentioned that you and others did not have a crop last year. There were many areas in Benton County, that experienced a cold, wet spell at the same time the pear blossoms were in bloom. This cold weather prevented the bees from pollinating the trees. It looks like they did their job this year!
Happy gardening! Please contact us if you have further questions.
Deb K & Jennifer G
Need to reply to the expert? Click the link below, or simply reply to this email.
Click here to view #0107425
We hope this response has sufficiently answered your questions. If not, please do not send another email. Instead, reply to this email or login to your account for a complete archive of all your support requests and responses.
Your very welcome!