Q. I have a Kieffer pear tree
that is newly planted about 4 months. It’s located along a wall that runs
north-south and gets full sunlight. For the past few weeks I’ve noticed that
dark splotches are beginning to appear in some of the leaves. It usually starts
along the tips or edges. Recently, the tree is beginning to show yellowing on
all the leaves on the edges. I have a picture attached. I’d be very grateful
for any help!
A. Leaf browning along the edges of the leaves on pear
is quite common during the heat and strong winds of summer. The temptation is
to give it more water which can actually damage the tree and might even kill
it. Some of this damage to leaves is common during the heat and winds of
summer. In pear trees oftentimes leave damage becomes black and can look like a
disease. Don’t panic!
is quite common during the heat and strong winds of summer. The temptation is
to give it more water which can actually damage the tree and might even kill
it. Some of this damage to leaves is common during the heat and winds of
summer. In pear trees oftentimes leave damage becomes black and can look like a
disease. Don’t panic!
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| Browning or blackening of pear leaves is quite common when they are damaged. |
What to do?
Make sure the tree is staked during its first year of growth. Staking a
tree is supposed to force the roots not to move in the soil during the tree/s
establishment. It is not supposed to immobilize the tree above ground. The tree
above ground should move and sway with the wind but the roots should have no
movement.
Make sure the tree is staked during its first year of growth. Staking a
tree is supposed to force the roots not to move in the soil during the tree/s
establishment. It is not supposed to immobilize the tree above ground. The tree
above ground should move and sway with the wind but the roots should have no
movement.
Water the tree frequently during the first month of establishment and
then try to “wean it” off of frequent watering when you start to see
new growth. All trees and shrubs go through a stage in their establishment from
container to the ground where new roots grow into the surrounding soil. Once
roots have begun to grow and the tree becomes established, there will be a
flush of new growth from the tree. Remove the stake after the first growing
season.Try not to water more than every other day when temperatures are near
110° F. Give the soil a chance to drain before you water again.
 |
| Pear leaves can yellow and have brown spots when needing iron. |
Add compost and iron. Sometimes these trees just do not have enough
nutrients in the soil to get them through the summer. For a young pear tree
like yours, add about one half cubic foot of compost in a circle around the
tree without touching the trunk. Like a donut. Before applying the compost to
the soil surface, put a couple teaspoons of iron chelate beneath it and water
everything in to the soil with a hose. The most effective iron applications
this time of year are sprayed on the leaves but it is a little hot to do that
now.
nutrients in the soil to get them through the summer. For a young pear tree
like yours, add about one half cubic foot of compost in a circle around the
tree without touching the trunk. Like a donut. Before applying the compost to
the soil surface, put a couple teaspoons of iron chelate beneath it and water
everything in to the soil with a hose. The most effective iron applications
this time of year are sprayed on the leaves but it is a little hot to do that
now.
Cover the soil at the base of the tree with wood chip mulch. This is
particularly true of fruit trees. Fruit trees preferred to grow in soils that
have organics in them. The decaying of woodchip mulch on the soil surface in
the presence of water adds organics to the soil. Covering the surface of the
soil with rock does not. Keep the wood chip mulch away from the trunk the first few years.
particularly true of fruit trees. Fruit trees preferred to grow in soils that
have organics in them. The decaying of woodchip mulch on the soil surface in
the presence of water adds organics to the soil. Covering the surface of the
soil with rock does not. Keep the wood chip mulch away from the trunk the first few years.