{"id":24855,"date":"2024-09-13T13:21:15","date_gmt":"2024-09-13T17:21:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/?p=24855"},"modified":"2024-09-13T13:21:15","modified_gmt":"2024-09-13T17:21:15","slug":"can-you-explain-what-pear-scab-and-pear-rust-is-and-how-to-treat-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/2024\/09\/13\/can-you-explain-what-pear-scab-and-pear-rust-is-and-how-to-treat-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you explain what pear scab and pear rust is and how to treat them?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Question:<\/h3>\n
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I noticed spots on my pear tree leaves and a lot of the pear fruit was aborted this year. I’m not sure if it is pear scab or pear rust? Or are they the same? How can I treat this? I also have a plum and peach tree in the area, are they at risk? There is also a crab apple tree that has similar spots and did not produce much this year. The leaves on the apple also started to change colors and and drop 2-3 weeks ago.<\/strong><\/div>\n
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Answer:<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional<\/em><\/span><\/div>\n
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There are a number of foliar conditions that can cause this kind of leaf spotting and early leaf fall, and it’s often difficult to diagnose from photos, but there is obviously something going on with your pear and crabapple.\u00a0Pear scab<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0pear rust<\/a>\u00a0are separate fungal pathogens, and of the two I would lean toward suspecting scab from the appearance (you can see examples of rust in that link).\u00a0Apple scab<\/a>\u00a0(which also often affects crabapples) is caused by a very closely related species to the one that causes pear scab, so it would make sense with common growing and environmental conditions that this could be a likely culprit. I don’t think the peach or plum would be at risk of spread for those particulars funguses, but there are other things to consider, like\u00a0bacterial spot<\/a>, which can present similarly on the leaves and can affect all 4 plants. If we are looking at scab, your first line of defense is the easiest: increased sanitation (e.g., removal of infected tissue, prompt disposal of all fallen plant debris, sanitizing tools after use to prevent spreading to the next plant worked on) and\u00a0proper pruning<\/a>\u00a0(thinning the canopy increases airflow and mitigates the close, still, warm air conditions in the interior of the tree that drive spore proliferation). There are also some fungicide recommendations in the above links, but increased sanitation and a bit of TLC can often manage scab effectively, if it isn’t too widespread.<\/p>\n

However, because visual diagnosis is often tricky, I will also suggest you consider submitting these photos and\/or a physical sample to the\u00a0UMaine Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab<\/a>\u00a0if you are still concerned, or if my advice doesn’t improve things or doesn’t match what you’re seeing. There is a small fee for their service, but you’ll get lab confirmation of any pathogens present. Situations like this are also a good time to have your soil tested through the\u00a0UMaine Analytical Soil Lab<\/a>\u00a0(test kits are available in any Extension office, or the lab can mail you one) and to review the best practices protocols for fruit tree care in Maine (available in the pruning link above)–healthy vigorous plants weather these conditions better.<\/p>\n

Happy gardening.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Question: I noticed spots on my pear tree leaves and a lot of the pear fruit was aborted this year. I’m not sure if it is pear scab or pear rust? Or are they the same? How can I treat this? 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