My ornamental pear tree has branches dying at the tips and then dying back toward the trunk. This has occurred over the last couple of months, what can I do?
The disease is called fire blight. The ends of the leaves and stems will have a dark brown to blackened look, much like someone set fire to the branches, thus the name fire blight. Given the right circumstances, such as warm, moist conditions, this disease can move quickly. It can affect any apple or pear tree, either fruit or ornamental.
Normally, you would wait until late winter and prune all the dead stems and leaves. Use a 10-percent solution of bleach to dip your shears in between your cuts. Prune six to eight inches below the damage. Then apply an antibiotic for trees called Agri-Strip when the trees start to bloom and apply as often as label allows until full bloom is over. Sometimes, if damage is extremely bad, homeowners will start control measures now as written above. Sometimes it’s helpful, sometimes not.
Also, when planting apple or pears, either fruit or ornamental, look for fire blight resistant varieties.
For more information come by the OSU Extension Center, 14001 Acme Road, corner of MacArthur and Acme Road in Shawnee, or call 273-7683.
