Pear Tree Blight in Pennsylvania

Identification

• Fire blight of pear or pear tree blight is a bacterial disorder caused by Erwinia amylovora. The bacterial infects a number of other fruit tree varieties, with pear and quince being the most susceptible.

Damage

• Initial symptoms include a brown, watery secretion from branches, cankers and twigs. This creates stains on the tree. Flowers, stems and foliage start to wilt and blacken. Small shoots also wilt and affected areas turn black. Dead, black foliage and fruit remain on the tree. Severe infection kills the tree. Surviving trees are disfigured.

Control

• Plant tolerant pear varieties to reduce chances of infection. Prune and remove all affected tree areas and avoid heavy applications of nitrogen fertilizer during fall. Chemical control options include applications of diluted Bordeaux mixtures and copper-based fungicides.