Pear Tree Disease
Iowa's Pear Trees include the invasive callery pear (Pyrus calleryana). While this tree is on the Invasive Species list it has yet to do ecological damage to Iowa and the Arboriculturist at Olson Tree Care understands the dilemma.
Inheriting a callery pear tree or other fruit tree means inheriting the maintenance. While we do not want to install an invasive species, one that is inherited may not be an instant candidate for removal. Consultation is recommended to develop a suitable care plan.
Retention of Pear Tree vitality requires understanding of the 2 diseases common to pears and known byArborists in Des Moines.
Fire Blight
Fire Blight is caused by a Bacterial Pathogen (Erwinia amylovora). It is a contact spreading fungal pathogen that insects new growth or wounds in spring. It effects Pear Trees but is not limited to them. Some common species effected are common apple, hawthorn, crabapple and serviceberry.
Common symptoms of Fire Blight include a scorched appearance to the end of twigs that hardens in a downward hooked position. Some call this a shepards crook but the Tree Service at Olson Tree Care has identified “Hook” is the proper term (something curved or bent). Other symptoms would include cankers on branch or sticky ooze from infected stems, although Tree Care in Des Moines, Iowa use Species Profile and Necrotic Hook as sufficient symptoms for diagnosis.
Treatment by fungicide injection combined with timely sterilization pruning has proven to be effective control measures by Licensed and Certified Tree Service in Des Moines.
Fire Blight
Asian Pear Tree Rust
Pear Tree Rust
Apple Cedar Rust
This complicated fungal pathogen (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae) requires Apple and Cedar tree to complete its life cycle. Alternates species that Apple Cedar Rust can utilize to complete its lifecycle are Juniper. Pear trees also are plagued with a rust nearly identical to Apple Cedar Rust. Asian Pear Rust also utilizes Juniper and Eastern Red Cedar to complete the life cycle, making it a complicated cure which requires routine maintenance and/or sterilization of the host plant.
Symptoms of both Rusts include small yellow or golden spots on the foliage that can increase in size as the season progresses until necrotic. Infection occurs in spring with symptoms developing in summer. Infection spreads year by year and the continued stress can lead to decline and ultimately tree death stemming from reduced vitality.
The Arborist at Olson Tree Care in Des Moines, Iowa has found timely and precise fungicide application to be an effective control. Arborist Vitality Assesment is recommended as trees with preexisting conditions are preferred candidates for Asian Rust in Pear Trees.