Mind you, we are not talking about the autumn color of the pear tree leaves. This refers to the discoloration of the leaves in spring and summer due to yellow, often bright orange spots. The disease is triggered by pear rust.
Why does the pear tree have yellow leaves?
Yellow leaves on the pear tree are usually caused by pear scab, a disease caused by a rust fungus. Symptoms include yellow or orange spots, wart-shaped growths and premature leaf drop. Affected leaves should be discarded and preventive measures taken.
Indicators of pest infestation
- Initially small yellow spots on the leaf
- Subsequently complete yellow or orange coloring of the leaf
- Formation of wart-shaped growths on the underside
- Growths break up in a grid pattern
- Premature leaf drop
Pear rust – a widespread disease of the pear tree
Pear grid has spread across the country in recent years.
The trigger is a rust fungus that overwinters in juniper bushes and spreads its spores several hundred meters through the air. Only pear trees are at risk from fungal infestation.
Experts explain the increase in rust fungus with the increased planting of juniper bushes in gardens, parks and cemeteries.
What to do if the pear tree is infected?
The good news is that he althy, large pear trees cope with fungal infestation quite well. However, there are smaller harvests because the tree can absorb fewer nutrients through the affected leaves.
The bad news is that so far nothing effective can be done about the pear grid on the pear tree.
Pick off all affected leaves and dispose of them in the trash can or burn. Under no circumstances should these leaves be composted.
Prevention of pear grate
For pear rust to occur, two factors must come together, namely a juniper bush as a host plant and a pear tree, which are less than half a kilometer apart.
The only effective way to combat rust fungus is prevention, namely by removing all juniper bushes in the area. This interrupts the circulation cycle of the spores.
In addition, the leaves of the pear tree must be carefully collected and disposed of in autumn. In the growths on the undersides of the leaves there are new spore nests that overwinter in juniper bushes and cause new fungal infestation next year.
Tips & Tricks
If your pear tree is affected by pear rust, it may help to strengthen it. Ensure good fertilization. To do this, rake mature compost or well-rotted manure into the soil. He althy trees develop better resistance to fungal attack.
