How to Treat Rust on a Pear Tree
Pear trees add beauty to any landscape with their bright, white blooms and brilliant, orange leaves in the fall. In fact, pear trees are often planted as ornamental trees as well as for their sweet, juicy fruit. Unfortunately, pear trees are susceptible to a fungus called "pear trellis rust." While not as common in the United States as in Europe, it has been found in Washington state and California, as well as in British Columbia. Treat your pear tree for rust at the first signs of infection.
Examine the leaves of your pear tree carefully in early spring as they emerge. Look for tiny orange spots on the tops and undersides of the leaves. If left untreated, these spots will grow larger and turn black by June, and the tree will develop swollen orange or gray lumps (galls), which shelter spore growth.
- Pear trees add beauty to any landscape with their bright, white blooms and brilliant, orange leaves in the fall.
- If left untreated, these spots will grow larger and turn black by June, and the tree will develop swollen orange or gray lumps (galls), which shelter spore growth.
Slip on some gardening gloves and pluck off as many of the infected leaves as you can reach. This will not harm the tree and will prevent the spread of the fungus. Simply drop them to the ground, as the fungus will die as soon as the leaves dry up.
Cut off heavily infected branches. Cut off the branch at an angle and as close to the main horizontal branch or trunk as possible. Also prune any galls (swollen tree tissue; often gray or orange) that may develop at the base of twigs.
Consider relocating any nearby juniper trees. This fungus also infects juniper trees and easily jumps from there to nearby pear trees. Leaving infected trees within close proximity to one another will only increase the severity of the disease each year.
- Slip on some gardening gloves and pluck off as many of the infected leaves as you can reach.
- Cut off the branch at an angle and as close to the main horizontal branch or trunk as possible.
Kill A Pear Tree?
Although the pear tree is an adaptable grower, some conditions are simply too hot or too cold for the pear tree. Warm winters can damage and, over time, kill a pear tree by preventing it from entering its dormant phase and leaving it weakened and open to attack from environmental and microbiological factors. Several factors in the environment are capable of killing a pear tree. Use lime to lower the pH of the soil, if necessary. Planting resistant varieties, such as Moonglow, and using fungicidal sprays can prevent infection.
- Although the pear tree is an adaptable grower, some conditions are simply too hot or too cold for the pear tree.
Kill A Pear Tree?
Although the pear tree is an adaptable grower, some conditions are simply too hot or too cold for the pear tree. Warm winters can damage and, over time, kill a pear tree by preventing it from entering its dormant phase and leaving it weakened and open to attack from environmental and microbiological factors. Several factors in the environment are capable of killing a pear tree. Use lime to lower the pH of the soil, if necessary. Planting resistant varieties, such as Moonglow, and using fungicidal sprays can prevent infection.
- Although the pear tree is an adaptable grower, some conditions are simply too hot or too cold for the pear tree.
Tip
Don't spray the tree with a chemical fungicide. These are usually not effective on pear tree rust.
Related Articles
References
- Monrovia: Bartlett Pear
- Virginia Cooperative Extension: Growing Pears in Virginia
- University of California: Fire Blight
- University of California: Apple and Pear Scab
- Monrovia: Bartlett Pear
- Virginia Cooperative Extension: Growing Pears in Virginia
- University of California: Fire Blight
- University of California: Apple and Pear Scab
Resources
Tips
- Don't spray the tree with a chemical fungicide. These are usually not effective on pear tree rust.
