Flowering Pear Tree Diseases

The pear tree belongs to the genus Prunus of the family Rosaceae, thus sharing the same family with garden rose, blackberry and apple. Coming to the flowering pear tree scientific name, the Bradford pear tree is represented by Pyrus calleryana. When spring arrives, you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the trees enveloped in white or red blooms. Irrespective of the variety that you have planted in your yard, understanding flowering pear tree diseases will help you in timely control of the problems.

Flowering Pear Tree Information

With more than 800 cultivars, the pear tree is one of the most spectacular landscaping trees worldwide. Other than the common pear tree species planted for fruits, there are several other types of flowering pear trees, which are specifically grown for their attractive blooms and aesthetic value. Plant the white flowering pear tree (Cleveland cultivar) and you can enjoy the snow-covered tree view and sweet fragrance in early spring. However, a major problem of a flowering pear tree is the upright and straight branches that are prone to breakage and splitting.

Diseases Afflicting Flowering Pear Trees

Taking account of the ornamental value, flowering pear tree cultivars are also known as ornamental pear varieties. For a true hobbyist, what can be more regretful other than seeing your flowering pear tree dying because of diseases. To avoid such a worse experience, educate yourself regarding disease identification and effective control measures.

Crown Gall Disease
A bacterium infestation, crown gall disease causes enlargement of the stem and branches. In severe infestations, there can be accumulation of dead tissues in the stem portion, just above the soil. If left untreated, it can cause death of the tree. Remove the diseased twig and spray the tree with an effective bactericide.

Fire Blight Disease
Fire blight disease affects particularly the young leaves and stem during the blooming season (spring). It is the most destructive bacterial disease that attacks flowering pear trees. If you notice unusual sticky deposits in the stem, it is possibly because of the fire blight disease. Use streptomycin or other bactericidal sprays to control fire blight in the early infestation stages.

Leaf Spot Disease
Leaf spot is another severe disease of the flowering pear tree. This flowering pear tree fungus infection can be identified from the reddish-purple patches developed on the leaves, particularly during early fall and spring. The infected leaf will turn red and eventually fall. Trim the infected parts and spray it with fungicides after every two weeks to control this disease effectively.

Other Diseases
Other diseases that are known to infect the common pear tree are root rot, blister disease, late leaf rot, powdery mildew and sooty mold. It is possible that these mentioned diseases may also infect ornamental species. Hence, while purchasing these saplings for flowering tree types, it is always better to select disease and pest resistant varieties.

In addition to these diseases, the plant is susceptible to other pests and insects such as caterpillars, thrips and webworms. Inspect the plant parts for any noticeable pests and insects. If possible, remove them manually and kill them. You can seek advice from your local horticulturist regarding the preventive measures that are to be followed during each season to prevent disease and pest infestations. By doing so, you can effectually control these destructive flowering pear tree problems.