Concerns about mature pear tree

[CourtneyB]

Hi all,

Grateful for some advice regarding our mature pear tree (estimating 50 - 100 years old).

We have lived in our home 2.5 years, so do not have a huge amount of context for how our pear tree should typically operate. This spring we noticed flowers for the first time since moving in as well as pears (we historically have only ever seen 1 -2 pears). However, this summer we have also noticed some spotting on leaves, early yellowing and some dead patches within the tree.

Interestingly, the plants underneath the pear tree are not performing very well either. The hellebores are completely flat, and the arthropodiums (NZ rock lily) are not as robust as the ones planted in the front garden, again lying quite low to the ground.

The soil pH was 7. As such, wondering if we have a fungal infection? Welcome any feedback, or whether best to get an arborist involved.

Thanks in advance!

Yellowing leavesBrown dead patchesSpotty leaves,

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @CourtneyB. It's amazing to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about pear tree health.

There is a reasonable chance that the damage to the leaves is caused by Pear leaf Blister Mite. Alternatively, it could be Fabraea leaf spot. I'm leaning more towards the latter as the mite damage is typically raised, and yours appears flatter. Leaf blister mite would be best addressed with a systemic insecticide and Fabraea leaf spot with a fungicide. In either case, it's best to remove and dispose of any affected leaves. This would be difficult to achieve on a large tree. Any fallen material under the tree also needs to be cleaned up. 

I'm going to call in one of our experts, @Noelle, to see if she has any thoughts.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Noelle]

Hi @CourtneyB 

I'm inclined to agree with Mitchell re the cause of the problem - it looks more fungal than insect attack. The key to controlling fungal diseases is to spray at leaf fall, collect and dispose of all fallen leaves and then spray again just before budburst in late winter - before the blossom opens and leaf buds start to unfurl.

It is a very large tree that looks like it has not been pruned for many years, so spraying is going to be difficult. It may may pay to have a professional fruit tree pruner (rather than a generic tree lopper or arborist) come in this winter to give the tree a severe cut back, as any fruits it's likely to have will be well beyond reach.

If the hellebores and arthropodiums beneath it are not looking terrific, then watering may be an issue rather than soil pH or infection. A tree of this size will tend to soak up every drop of available moisture leaving other plants parched. The tree will also be competing successfully for available nutrients so undertake a fee3ding program for the underplantings as well as the pear tree.

Check out some of the How To guides on both the Bunnings website  as well as on Workshop for more information on growing and feeding fruit trees, helebores and NZ rock lilies.

[CourtneyB]

So helpful - thank you Noelle and Mitchell. Much appreciated.

Welcome thoughts on an appropriate feeding program for the underplantings.

Thanks,

Courtney

[MitchellMc]

Hi @CourtneyB,

You might like to read through this helpful guide on How to grow New Zealand rock lily. It suggests feeding in autumn and spring with Yates 2.5kg Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food. 

Here's another helpful guide on How to grow and care for hellebores. A complete all-purpose fertiliser applied in late autumn is best.

Mitchell