posted
We have an espalier pear tree spreading across the entire west side of the house - our pride and joy (also, good fruit). The past couple of years, we've seen new leaves develop orange rust-like spots. At first, we thought it was drops of paint from the newly-repainted gable trim (almost the same color, ironically), but it is clearly NOT. I understand that this may be a disease that jumps from junipers, but simply cutting down our junipers probably won't help - most of our neighbors have junipers, too. It is unsightly, but doesn't appear to affect the fruit. My worry is that it will weaken the tree to the point that we'll lose it (the tree, not my worry!). How shall I tackle this?
Plants: 9 | From: Denmark | Registered: Dec 2006
| Seeded: 195.212.29.92
posted
cut off the infected parts and dispose by sealing in plastic bag or by burning.
* * * * I love the sweet scents wafting in the breeze. I stop to admire the vibrant colors of all living things. And people think me odd. Then ODD I am!!!
The rust mites cause distortion or russeting of the leaves. Damage by this mite is cosmetic and not very serious.
Water or soap sprays will provide some immediate control. An oil spray with lime sulfur in October or November will help control the mite for the following season.
* * * *
Amor est vitae essentia. Love is the essence of life. Plants: 932 | From: Northern California, Zone 9b | Registered: Jul 2003
| Seeded: 75.6.226.200
posted
Thanks for input, friends. Just cutting off affected parts probably won't help - almost every leaf seems to be affected (!) and I'm afraid that if I regularly nip off ALL the old leaves, the tree will weaken from the effort of putting out an entirely new set (saw this happen with our white-peach tree, affected by "peach-leaf curl"...). Forgot to add that I do see the orange spots develop tiny "volcanoes" that open (a mite? some other bug?).... Feb. could be a bit late for spray, but might try now anyway. Thanks again!
Plants: 9 | From: Denmark | Registered: Dec 2006
| Seeded: 195.212.29.75
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