pear tree leaf spots

kat · Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 11:44 am Post subject: pear tree leaf spots

hello all,
i have just joined the forum and would like to thank you for everything i've learned just viewing it over the past year.
i need help with this problem on a two-year old pear, the centre one of three i am attempting to train espalier style on a south facing wall.
what is it, can it be treated, should i start to panic ?

Belfast · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 12:54 pm Post subject:

Looks like Black Spot (Venturia inaequalis) in Apples and Pears
http://www.hortnet.co.nz/publications/hortfacts/hf205001.htm

James Kilkelly, was GPI. · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 1:10 pm Post subject:

sorcha · Hazel Tree Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 24 Location: Dublin

I seem to have this on my pear tree as well, only much more advanced (some of the top leaves are nearly all black). The only thing is that we already have a really good crop of little pears on it - is there any treatment I can give it to cure the scab, without making the fruit inedible? Or should I just wait until we've picked them and then treat it? Or are they already inedible (I didn't see any black spots on the fruit, just leaves).

verge · Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 7:16 pm Post subject:

michael brenock · Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:53 pm Post subject:

the leaves shown in picture are not affected by scab more like mechanical damage eg rubbing off a rough surface. pear scab attacks both leaves and fruits and has a typical sooty appearance and splitting and cracking of fruit. However it is a bad year for scab with all the rain and mild temperatures.
michael brenock Horticultural advisor (retired)

sorcha · Hazel Tree Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 24 Location: Dublin

Verge, would those treatments have to wait until we've picked the fruit? I'm reluctant to start spraying stuff on the tree when I've promised pears to practically everyone I know (the tree is literally groaning with fruit at this point!)

verge · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 11:50 am Post subject:

Its kinda pointless spraying at this stage of the year sorcha. You will not help it really, but on the plus side it probably will not get much worse. For next year though a typical spraying pattern would be spraying at leaf bud break with a fungicide. Then continue at approx six intervals, pausing during the trees flowering period, then continuing up to the fruitlet stage in early July.