Black spots on Pear Tree leaves

9 years ago

Hi,

I posted to the Garden Clinic forum, and was pointed this way. We have a Pear tree - around five years old. Last year it developed the attached spots and damage on the leaves, and it doesn't seem to have gone away this year (which was my hope).

The tree has many small pears, most of which fall off. Last year every one fell off so we were left with no fruit, the same is happening this year.

I wondered if anyone would be kind enough to offer some advice to bring the tree back to health. I have a few more photos if it would help - the blight is on all parts of the tree across many hundreds of leaves.

Across the other side it was suggested this might be pear blister mites and/or aphids. If that's the consensus, I was wondering if someone could recommend what I should look for to confirm this, and then what product/substance would be best to apply to remedy it.

Thanks for all the help

Comments (4)

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX
9 years ago
Looks like pear blister mite. I've never had them but they look awful. Some info below.

Here is a link that might be useful: pear blister mite
chri_s
Original Author
9 years ago
Hmm, thanks.

This: http://rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=661 says the following:

There are currently no pesticides available to amateur gardeners that are effective against this mite, so its presence has to be tolerated.

Fortunately, although heavily infested trees may look unhealthy, the mite has little impact on the treeÃ¢ÂÂs health or ability to produce fruit

---

Doesn't really sound great, the tree really looks a mess. But thanks for pointing me at a possible cause - and it's good to know it isn't too serious.
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mamuang_gw
9 years ago
Yes, it's pear blister mite. I have it on both Asian and European pears. My Blake's Pride pear has gotten the worst of it.

A fine forum contributor, Scott Smith, has advised me to use lime-sulphur spray right before bud break. I missed the opportunity, of course. Now that the leaves are full, too late to spray with lime-sulphur.

With full leaves, I spray it with wettable sulfur. It helps but not as effective. I'll spray sulphur a few more times to help keep mites in check. I add sticker in the mix to help sulphur stay on leaves better. Spray underside of the leaves well, too.

Next spring, I'll hit them with lime-sulphur at the right time.

My tree just looks ugly but there is no real harm is done as far as I know.
Beeone
9 years ago
Mites are very small. Use a strong magnifying glass and look at the under side of the leaves. They look like tiny spiders. The active ingredient Bifenthrin will control many mites and is sold in the U.S. for home use under a number of brand names. You might try it. It won't make the damaged leaves recover but stop future damage and new growth should stay healthy.