Pear Trees - Ask Extension
Hello-
I have two pears trees approximately 5 years old each. I have tried to organically treat the pears with Neem Oil and other methods (putting...
Knowledgebase
Pear Trees #864969
Asked April 18, 2024, 10:24 AM EDT
Hello-
I have two pears trees approximately 5 years old each. I have tried to organically treat the pears with Neem Oil and other methods (putting baggies around the fruit) but each year the fruit either gets black or has bugs and the majority is inedible.
The trees are two varieties to cross pollinate. Whom can I call and or how can I successfully produce edible pears?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
Is this what you are asking about?
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/sooty_blotch_and_flyspeck_disease_of_apple_and_pear_the_newest_addition_to
Is this what you are asking about?
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/sooty_blotch_and_flyspeck_disease_of_apple_and_pear_the_newest_addition_to
Yes, I am thinking that this is what happens. The pears get black and have bugs. I would like to treat the trees so that I can eat the pears.
Please advise.
Thank you-
Rosie
Thank you for writing back.
If this is sooty blotch, pesticides will not be useful. It is caused by a fungus. It affects fruit appearance and can be rubbed off, https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/sooty-blotch-and-flyspeck#:~:text=Flyspeck%20and%20sooty%20blotch%20are,surface%2C%20resulting%20in%20minor%20blemishes.
I would need a picture to better advise you.
Alternatively, early in the season, you submit a specimen to the plant disease clinic. https://pdc.umn.edu/
If this is sooty blotch, pesticides will not be useful. It is caused by a fungus. It affects fruit appearance and can be rubbed off, https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/sooty-blotch-and-flyspeck#:~:text=Flyspeck%20and%20sooty%20blotch%20are,surface%2C%20resulting%20in%20minor%20blemishes.
I would need a picture to better advise you.
Alternatively, early in the season, you submit a specimen to the plant disease clinic. https://pdc.umn.edu/
