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Garden Gate:  Puny pears  |
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BuckBellHill
Farmgirl in Training
32 Posts
Fern
Belfast
Tennessee
USA
32 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 07 2005 : 9:57:00 PM
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Does anyone know anything about pear trees? I have a REALLY old pear tree, about two stories tall, that has thousands of pears but they look funny. They don't look like any pears I've ever seen. They're small and a bit spotty looking. Most of the leaves have spots. The tree itself looks like it might have a fungus. There's lichen looking stuff on parts of it. I'm wondering what to do about it, short of calling the tree doctor. Any pear advice?
Fern |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2005 : 06:22:47 AM
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I would consult with the local county extension service ASAP. Sounds like your tree is infested and probably did not get the care it needs to thrive before you arrived on the scene. If you want to keep it organic, see if there's an organic supply nearby, much like feed stores, only all organic. I'm sure they'll have some products for you. And... around here (orchard country) trees are not allowed to get that tall. When it goes dormant for the winter, a very good pruning may be in order. Good luck!
**** Love is the great work - though every heart is first an apprentice. - Hafiz
Set a high value on spontaneous kindness. - Samuel Johnson****
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BlueEggBabe
True Blue Farmgirl
417 Posts
Susan
PA
417 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2005 : 06:26:48 AM
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Just curious Fern........
Do you know what kind of pear tree it is?
Possibly it is a seckel pear..they grow very small, very hard and spotty. If it is a very old tree, it could be a seckel.
I have one in my pasture that grows the same way.
Sue
"If more of us valued good food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."
J.J.R.Tolkien |
Edited by - BlueEggBabe on Aug 08 2005 06:54:18 AM |
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BuckBellHill
Farmgirl in Training
32 Posts
Fern
Belfast
Tennessee
USA
32 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2005 : 07:02:20 AM
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Thanks for the advice! I am going to consult the extension service because I think there's something wrong with the tree.
Fern |
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BuckBellHill
Farmgirl in Training
32 Posts
Fern
Belfast
Tennessee
USA
32 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2005 : 07:13:13 AM
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p.s. Sue: It is a seckel pear tree! I looked it up and that's definitely it...
Fern |
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BlueEggBabe
True Blue Farmgirl
417 Posts
Susan
PA
417 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2005 : 10:09:33 AM
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Fern,
Yesterday I typed "fruit tree diseases" then "pear tree diseases" for a search.
Glanced around at tons of information but apparently there is quite a bit out on Fire Blight right now that is ravaging the east.
The extension agent could definitely tell you more but at least you have identified the tree.A very good start.
Hope you can still use some of the pears in the meantime!
Sue
"If more of us valued good food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."
J.J.R.Tolkien |
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greyghost
True Blue Farmgirl
650 Posts
Lynn
Summerville
Georgia
USA
650 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2005 : 5:35:58 PM
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It sounds like your tree is suffering from lack of nutrition, get three cans of Red Devil Lye, dig three holes about 3-4 feet away from the trunk of your tree, about 6" deep, poke holes in the cans and put them in there. The pears will be huge next time around.
Not sure about the heavy lichen, do check with the county extention office on that one. |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Aug 17 2005 : 12:55:56 PM
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We've got fire blight and a type of scab type disease that affects both the fruit and leaves. You will eradicate some of it with a good pruning and removing all the leaves that fall beneath. Do you see any sign of powdery mildew? It will be like someone dusted some leaves with a faint ( or very obvious whitish coating. These can all be contributors but at this point in the game you are stuck with what you have. An organic approach to these problems would be a very thorough cleaning out of any unnecessary branch and a triple application of dormant oil at leaf break, bud break and just before fruiting. It is considered organic, has no residual side effects and can be very beneficial. There is also something called Pear curiculue(sp?) that makes the leaves pucker along the center vein almost like it is being gathered and I am sad to say has no cure but to eradicate the plants completely. Hope this helps.
with a happy heart |
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Garden Gate: Puny pears |
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Puny pears
