Some trees really know how to make a statement–like the ‘Bradford’ Callery pear. With its gorgeous canopy full of delicate, snow-white flowers, it’s sure to catch your eye (or your nose) in spring.
Or perhaps something a bit less joyful drew you in. That’s what happened to Linda, a Davey blog reader from South Carolina.
Linda asked, “My Bradford pear trees have clumps of brown leaves all over it. What can you tell me?”
What went wrong with Linda’s trees? And, if your tree is showing similar symptoms, what can you do? Your Bradford pear is likely dealing with a common springtime fruit tree infection. Learn what you can do about it below.
Seeing black leaves on your beloved pear tree can be worrying. But don’t panic! Black leaves are usually a sign of a common disease or environmental stressor. By understanding the causes and solutions, you can get your tree back to health.
What Causes Black Pear Tree Leaves?
There are three main culprits behind black pear tree leaves
Fire Blight
- Caused by the bacteria Erwinia amylovora
- Infects flowers, leaves, twigs, branches, and fruit
- Leaves turn black and appear scorched
- Most active in warm, wet spring weather
- Spreads rapidly once infection starts
- No cure, so prevention and managing spread are key
Fabraea Leaf Spot
- Fungal disease, also called pear leaf blight or black spot
- Causes small brown/black spots on leaves
- Can cause leaf yellowing and defoliation
- Worse in wet, humid conditions
- Can reduce fruit production if severe
Pear Scab
- Another fungal disease
- Causes dark velvety spots on leaves, fruit, twigs
- Spots later turn gray and cracked
- Leaves wilt and fall off
- Most common from March to June
Less Common Causes
While diseases are the main cause of black leaves on pear trees, other factors can also sometimes be to blame:
- Nutrient deficiencies, especially lack of iron
- Environmental stresses like extreme heat, frost, or drought
- Root damage from construction or pests
- Physical damage from wind or storms
If your tree lacks other disease symptoms, assess if any environmental factors could be contributing to the issue.
Solutions for Black Pear Tree Leaves
Whether your pear tree has a disease or environmental issue, these methods can help restore health:
1. Prune Diseased Areas
- Remove visibly infected branches, leaves, and fruit
- Cut 6-12 inches below blackened areas
- Sterilize pruners between each cut
- Avoid pruning in wet weather
2. Use Preventative Fungicides
- Copper-based products can treat fungal diseases
- Spray trees thoroughly until runoff
3. Apply Organic Sprays
- White vinegar spray helps fight diseases
- Essential oils like oregano, thyme, and cinnamon have antimicrobial properties
4. Improve Growing Conditions
- Water thoroughly to prevent drought stress
- Mulch around tree to maintain soil moisture and temperature
- Fertilize appropriately to prevent nutrient deficiencies
- Increase air circulation and light penetration through pruning
5. Boost Tree Health
- A healthy, vigorous tree can better resist diseases
- Plant resistant varieties when possible
- Address pest, soil, or drainage issues
- Manage weed competition
6. Remove and Dispose of Fallen Leaves/Fruit
- Pick up and dispose of diseased leaves and fruit to prevent spread
7. Be Patient
- Don’t panic if black leaves appear one season
- Implement solutions and wait to see if tree rebounds
- Contact an arborist if black leaves persist or worsen
When to Call a Professional
While black leaves are often manageable for homeowners, talk to an arborist if:
- You’re unsure of the cause
- Solutions aren’t improving the issue
- The tree shows signs of distress like drooping leaves or dieback
- Black leaves cover more than 30% of the canopy
A knowledgeable arborist can diagnose the problem and suggest advanced treatments to restore tree health if needed.
Preventing Black Leaves on Pear Trees
Prevention is always the best medicine when it comes to plant diseases:
- Select disease-resistant varieties
- Prune trees to improve air circulation and light penetration
- Water at soil level instead of wetting leaves
- Disinfect pruning tools after each use
- Clean up and dispose of fallen diseased plant debris
- Use preventative fungicide applications
Don’t Lose Hope!
Seeing black leaves on your beloved pear can be upsetting. But with prompt action, most trees bounce back from diseases and environmental stresses. Stick with consistent care and treatment, and your tree’s lush green leaves will return year after year.
What is ‘Bradford’ Callery pear fire blight?
The brown clumps on Linda’s trees point to an infection called fire blight.
Fire blight is a persistent disease that affects ‘Bradford’ Callery pear (and other ornamental pear trees). But it goes after other fruit trees as well like apple, crabapple, quince and hawthorn trees.
At first, this is mostly an aesthetic issue, but if it keeps happening year after year, it could kill your tree.
Getting Rid of Sweetgum Tree Balls Learn when sweetgum tree balls fall, if they’re edible and how to stop sweetgum trees from producing. Or you could plant a fruitless sweetgum tree as an alternative.
Leaf & Needle Problems
Avoiding Fire Blight | Save your Pear (& Apple) Trees from this Deadly Disease
FAQ
How to treat black leaves on a pear tree?
Protectant sprays such as a copper based spray and plant spraying oil are effective as clean up sprays through winter and into early spring.
Can a pear tree recover from fire blight?
Yes, a pear tree can potentially recover from fire blight, but it requires prompt and effective action.
How do you fix black leaves on trees?
In the case of fungal diseases, having your local tree care specialist apply fungicides can aid in prevention and treatment. For bacterial infections, pruning and removing affected branches is often necessary to prevent further spread.
What is the best fungicide for black spots on pear trees?
Serenade® Garden Disease Control can be used for black rot, leaf spot, scab, leaf blight and more.
Do pear trees turn black?
Pear trees, especially in full bloom, are wonderful plants. Deep green leaves and branches covered in white blossoms are extremely pleasing to the eye and make a whole garden or orchard a sight to behold. However, sometimes, you may notice that the leaves on your pear are turning black.
Why are there black spots on my pear tree leaves?
When you look at your pear tree leaves, black spots are never a good sight to spot. It’s alarming, because it’s almost always a sign of a bacterial or fungal infection. Identifying the cause isn’t always straightforward. It’s easier to know what’s going on when the black spots are on the fruits.
What does a black spot on a pear tree look like?
The less severe the damage, the more it’ll look like a tiny black spot that’s contained to the tip of pear leaves with no other part of the leaves damaged. A light touch of frost, such as a cold wind brushing the canopy, could be mistaken for black spots on the tips of pear tree leaves.
How to treat black leaves on pear trees?
Prevention, fungicide sprays, and pruning are the top methods for treating black leaves on pear trees. Each of these methods will help to keep your tree healthy and strong, thereby reducing the risk of black leaves or other symptoms associated with various diseases. 1. Prevention
How do you get rid of black spots on pear trees?
Fungicide sprays are a common method to address black spots on pear tree leaves. When using fungicides, opt for ones explicitly designed for pear scab and Fabraea leaf spot. These products are tailored to combat the specific fungi causing black spots. Follow the application instructions meticulously, including the recommended rates and timing.
What causes black scab on a pear tree?
Pear Scab. Black Scab on pear tree leaves is another frequently reported issue by gardeners and homeowners which is caused due to fungus. This fungus usually thrives in moist conditions, which can cause defoliation & reduce fruit production. I recommend you prune the pear tree and improve its air circulation.