Hey Guys -
Starting last year, a growth started appearing on the pears of our pear tree. This year, it's come back stronger. It seems to mostly be affecting the fruit, itself and there are instances where a good looking pear can be sitting right beside an affected one. Pics are below. Handling an affected one makes your hands orange. Thought this may be pear midge or a canker, but not sure. We are located in Middle Tennessee. Thoughts?
It looks like a rust fungi. There is a pear rust fungi but that seems to affect the leaves. Here is a link to Cedar-Quince Rust that says it can affect pear fruit from the Missouri Botanical Garden.
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/diseases/rusts/cedar-quince-rust.aspx
Here is an article on Cedar Hawthorn Rust from Univ of Illinois that mentions is can sometimes affect pears.
http://extension.illinois.edu/focus/index.cfm?problem=cedar-hawthorn-rust
And some pictures of same or so they say.
http://www.walterreeves.com/gardening-q-and-a/pear-quince-rust/
My pear trees had the same thing this year. I have only moved in to this house this year so I don't know if it was there last year. I read it will effect pears, tho the fruit it doesn't infect will be fine, and roses, and tomatoes, it is airborne, so the wind carries it. There is a spray you can purchase for the smaller plants at your local garden stores, the pears, probly at a co-op. By the way, I live about 20 miles south of you.
This message was edited Nov 1, 2016 10:40 PM
