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European pear red spot disease #892322

Asked February 05, 2025, 10:45 AM EST

I live in the eastern part of Washington County (west slope) and have 3 European pear trees in my 15 tree orchard. They have been very productive until the last 2-3 years when they developed "red spot" fungal disease. I can not remove my neighbor's juniper bushes. Is there any safe anti fungal spray program or do I just need to destroy these otherwise wonderful trees?

Washington County Oregon

Expert Response

David: This has been an increasing problem in locations west of the Cascades, especially in wet springs. Last year was a wet spring and that exacerbated most diseases of fruit trees, including European pear rust. Unfortunately, none of the fungicides registered for use on this disease are available to home gardeners. See the comments in the PNW Handbook on this disease: https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/pear-pyrus-spp-trellis-rust-european-pear-rust

Best options sans a fungicide are good air flow (pruning for it), picking up and destroying infected leaves/fruit where possible, and enjoying the drier springs when we get them. A licensed commercial operator could, potentially, spray your trees and or the junipers of your neighbor. I do expect more conflicts between juniper plantings a home pear culture. Hope this helps.
Chip Bubl. OSU Extension, Columbia County, retired. <personal data hidden> still works
An Ask Extension Expert Replied February 06, 2025, 1:12 PM EST

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