Pear tree diagnosis

[Jay22]

Thanks again JJ! Will get the lighters tomorrow!

[FB.]

Every summer I see bumblebees stopping for a sip of honeydew from aphid colonies on my fruit trees, so be aware that using insecticide will have knock-on effects.
Various small birds eat aphids too; I doubt ingesting insecticide does the birds much good either.

[Jay22]

So you reckon I should just leave them if they don't harm the fruit FB?

[FB.]

So you reckon I should just leave them if they don't harm the fruit FB?

If it's a medium to large tree, I'd leave them.

If it's a young tree I'd remove most of them with a blast/spray of water (no chemicals, not even soapy water), otherwise the young trees shoots may become twisted which won't help it shape up nicely for its later years.

If it's a dwarf tree in a pot I'd remove them by blasting with water otherwise the aphids will suck the life out of it and the fruit won't grow.

[Jay22]

Yes it's a patio tree in a pot. I did blast with water yesterday but still loads on the tree last night! Will do it again today. Thanks FB...I don't like killing things and therefore don't use any insecticides at all and just take what I get. Other than the pear tree (same thing has happened the last three years to it), I've managed not too bad...fingers crossed I haven't jinxed it!