Need help identifying Pear tree disease

[chaosmaker]

Hi All,

I have this pear tree, which last year had quite a number of pears and was very happy growing on. This year however, many of the leaves started curling very early on and all the flower buds died and fell off. Can somebody help me identify what is wrong with it and whether there is something I can do?

Here is a picture of a branch.



Thanks

[Scarlet]

Again, more photos would help. Is it in a pot or in the ground? Check those curled up leaves closely for aphids. Some "tree experts" should be along soon with more help.
Welcome to the vine

[fishpond]

Flower buds falling off suggests lack of a suitable pollinator in the vicinity.
Curled leaves is normally a sign of aphids.
Something has been eating the leaves.
Red leaves suggests lack of nutrients or a trace element----when was it last fed & with what?
What is the soil PH?
What is the soil like--clay, silt, loam, peat etc?
Have you done any other soil tests?
What rootstock is it on?
Whereabouts in the country is the Pear Tree?

[chaosmaker]

The tree had quite a few aphids on them, but a load of ladybirds managed to remove most of them. However, even the newer leafs are starting to curl, so I'm worried it might have some disease .

It is planted in the ground.

Here are some more pictures:






Thanks

[chaosmaker]

Flower buds falling off suggests lack of a suitable pollinator in the vicinity.
Curled leaves is normally a sign of aphids.
Something has been eating the leaves.
Red leaves suggests lack of nutrients or a trace element----when was it last fed & with what?
What is the soil PH?
What is the soil like--clay, silt, loam, peat etc?
Have you done any other soil tests?
What rootstock is it on?
Whereabouts in the country is the Pear Tree?

This particular tree always had redish leaves regardless of feed. Soil is a clay type but I have replaced large areas around the tree with mushroom compost years ago. The pH, last time I checked was around 7-8. Rootstock is a dwarfing one but I cannot remember which one exactly. As for place it is in Liverpool area, so very mild never freezing and never really hot.

Aphids were there, but I cannot see any now, I had about 20 or so ladybirds on the tree and since all aphids are gone. But the curl is still there .

Thanks

[Guest]

Whats your winter regime?
It doesn't look disasterous but looks like it would benefit from a prune, removing competing plants from arount the base, a feed and a mulch to improve its general health and well being to then stand a chance against all the beasties. Also check the tree isn't rubbing on the stake and causing any issues.
Do you use chemicals in your garden? Could it be that thinks are a bit out of whack?

Also how old is the tree?

[Jay22]

Mine is exactly the same, although it's pot,grown. I put it down to aphids.

[chaosmaker]

The tree is I think about 5 years old now. In the winter it usually gets a really good prune, taking out all growth that is touching, but this year it seems to have grown even more into itself. Probably didn't help with the aphids situation.
Can I prune it now, or should I wait until winter to make sure the tree is hibernating?

[Guest]

You can summer prune but someone wiser in the way of fruit would be best to tell you about that. Just winter pruning is fine

Edit: Hello and welcome to the vine btw

[orangepippin]

Once aphids get a hold, the leaves and shoots will curl, and will stay like that permanently.

[FB.]

Once aphids get a hold, the leaves and shoots will curl, and will stay like that permanently.

In severe cases the leaves may turn yellow, brown and/or fall off after a few weeks. Sometimes canker will attack a badly aphid-damaged (or woolly-aphid-damaged) shoot.