[Yorky]

I've taken a photo of a conference pear tree in my garden - is this normal for this time of year? If not, does anyone know what may be wrong with it and how to treat it?



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[jashar99]

first impression is fungal, but others would have a more considered view. have you treated it with anything?

[GPI]

You could be on to something there jashar99, it could be fungal possibly dieback made worse by compaction or waterlogging in the soil.
It would be worth your while forking the area all around the tree to relieve compaction if it exists.

Other possibilities for the blackening are canker and fireblight, but hopefully not those, as they are more serious.
Any sign of weeping sores (canker) on the tree Yorky? noticed the trees leader shoot was cut back, was it because of a similar problem?

No matter what the problem is, for the time being you should cut to just above an outward facing bud on each stem just before it connects with the trunk.
Clean your clippers blades with surgical spirit after every cut.

[BlackBird]

I thought it might be frost damage, but the cut stem that GPI pointed out leads me to think you removed some diseased wood before. Am I right?

[Yorky]

Thanks for yor replies - no, I haven't pruned this at all yet as it was only planted in the Autumn.

[BlackBird]

[Yorky]

[Tom]

[Yorky]

I followed your instructions - pruned the black ends off sterilising the secateurs between each cut and forked around the base of the tree to increase drainage and aeration.

I inspected it today and it appears to be doing the same thing again.

[Sb]

Had this canker problem on my own trees. You have to keep cutting it out unfortunatly.