| My 10-yr old pear tree barely grew few inches during this period, and the fruits always fall off before they're ripe. Tried a lot of different nutrients/fertilizers but w/o success. The leaves always have dark brown spots. Recommendations? |
| Pear trees can develop scab disease just like apple trees. The best control is a preventative fungicide, in late winter when the branches are bare, and early spring, just as the leaves are emerging. The safest product is lime-sulfur (Bordeaux), sometimes marketed under the name "dormant spray". Since fungal spores can remain on tree limbs and branches it's important to thoroughly spray all parts of the tree. Follow the label directions and your tree should be scab-free next year. Be sure to rake fallen leaves and fruit from beneath the tree this fall so rain water doesn't splash the fungal spores back up onto the tree. Best wishes with your pear tree. |
