What's wrong with my BP??

Hi....I'm hoping someone can tell me what the problem is with my Pear tree. I'm assuming it's some sort of blight. Is there anything I can do to save it, or do I need to pull it up?

Thanks in advance,
Angie

Close up

Just for me - what type of pear tree do you have? I have several fruiting pears here that are all doing good but like to keep things together just in case something pops here.

Hi, I think it's a Cleveland Pear.

Looks newly planted - has it been watered regularly?

Resin

Yes, it was planted about 2 months ago. I've watered it regularly.

It looks like some type of fungus. You should go to your garden center and get a good fungicide. ASAP Good luck.

this fungus....Is that what people refer to as the dreaded "fire blight"?

I'm wondering if I need to worry about it infecting my very nearby red maple?

This doesn't look like classic fire blight. Fire blight usually starts with a sudden wilting of the branch tip, then the leaves shrivel up and turn black. By any chance are you lighting/using the patio torch attached to one of the posts? If this tree was purchased from a nursery where you can get some help or information take a sample there and see what they think. If it was a big box store purchase you are out of luck. You could also try you local agricultural extension service. They would certainly have the correct diagnosis and treatment. Good luck! If you pin it down please post.

Fireblight is a bacterial disease, not a fungal disease. Fungicides will do nothing for it, if it is indeed your problem on the pear. Fireblight should not be a red maple problem. See description and advice at these googled sites.

http://www.fireblight.com/
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7414.html

I will have next to nothing positive to add to the pear discussion. This species, Pyrus calleryana, is rapidly escaping out into natural and unmanaged landscapes and stands to be the next major introduced pest plant (dare I say invasive?) in the South.

Be that as it may, the image illustrates discolored foliage but I don't see disfigured twigs and branch tips. This could be a symptom of overwatering, or some other adventitious pest. Now that fall is rapidly approaching, allowing the plant to enter dormancy unassisted may be a good course of action. Cooler weather and normal rainfall should be all this plant needs, if SC isn't experiencing some odd severe heat and drought conditions. Using your local Extension Service for plant pathology diagnostics is free and a good idea for positive ID; take a 12" sample to them.

Meanwhile...make plans for your yard's future. Pears in the best situations are often only 10-15 year life trees. If you are after longer term delight, start thinking about different species that will fill the role that you may have expected the pear to perform.

Good eye, snapple. You weren't accusing Angie of being a Pyrus-maniac, eh?

Wow....thanks guys for all your input. Snapple, no we yet to light those torches since we've placed them there. I have a porch swing that normally sits between the two trees....the pear and the maple, with a torch on each end.

I will post more when I have figured this thing out.....thanks again!

Pyrusmanic.....I like that. lol Going now to check out those links.

With the large growth of trees in the background, and lack of any along the houses backyards, and close proximity of the houses, and being just outside of Charleston, you must live in a new development. Not sure of the dirt you have(going to guess clay), but regardless when the contractors came in to develop and clear cut everything, you end up with the worst dirt in the world, usually from several feet below the topsoil. The tree is stressed for one(or more) of several reasons(leaves are dying from bottom top, outward/in with stems looking very healthy and limbs look fine). If the house is new, and the soil is clay you might: ensure no grass is at base of tree, get a bag of compost and spread half around base(to nourish roots and amend the soil-wrong season to fertilize) and cover that with a mulch. During winter, water once a month IF you did not get any snow. Warm months, you may get plenty of water from yard irrigation, but may also water SLOWLY(drip hose, abt 1-2 hrs) once a month IF it hasn't rained much for you guys. It is probably being overwater, and with clay soil, that ain't good. Check the regional DG forum, and as VV said your county agent and/or a reputable nursery near you. Best luck.

My guess would be Pseudomonas blight - P.calleryana is quite susceptible, the 'Bradford' selection particularly so - but since it's the most widely-planted callery selection, it may actually be that it's no more susceptible than any other callery pear.

Wow...google is good...for the heck of it I plugged Pyrusmanic into a search and the one result was this thread. Wasn't that a part of a Def Leppard song?

Rise up, gather round
Plant this Pear in the ground
Wait 20 years and watch it grow
And then just hope the winds don't blow

- Brent