- Signs of pest infestation
- Pear rust - a widespread disease of the pear tree
- What to do if the pear tree is affected?
- Prevention of pear rust
- tips and tricks
Mind you, we are not talking about the autumn color of the leaves of the pear tree here. What is meant is the discoloration of the leaves in spring and summer with yellow, often bright orange spots. The disease is triggered by pear rust.
Signs of pest infestation
- Initially, small yellow spots on the sheet
- Then the leaf turns completely yellow or orange
- Formation of warty growths on the underside
- Growths break open in a lattice pattern
- Premature leaf drop
Pear rust - a widespread disease of the pear tree
Pear rust 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 in the air. Only pear trees are endangered by the fungal infestation.
Experts explain the increase in the rust fungus with the increased planting of juniper bushes in gardens, parks and cemeteries.
What to do if the pear tree is affected?
The good news is that healthy, large pear trees handle the fungus quite well. However, there are lower harvests because the tree can absorb fewer nutrients through the affected leaves.
The bad news is that so far there is nothing effective to do about pear rust on pear trees.
Pick off any affected leaves and dispose of in the dustbin or incinerate. Under no circumstances should these leaves be composted.
Prevention of pear rust
Two factors must coincide for the occurrence of pear rust, 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 to prevent it by removing all juniper bushes in the area. This interrupts the cycle of dispersal of the spores.
In addition, the leaves of the pear tree must be carefully collected and disposed of in autumn. There are new spore nests in the growths on the undersides of the leaves, which overwinter in juniper bushes and cause new fungal infestation the next year.
tips and tricks
If your pear tree is affected by pear rust, it may help to strengthen it. Provide good fertilization. Rake mature compost or well-rotted manure into the soil. Healthy trees develop better resistance to fungal attack.