There were still a few blight spots that showed up this spring and we took them off. But now, the other two Moonglow pear trees have fire blight, and although nowhere near as much as the other pear had last year (not sure which type of pear it was, but it wasn't Moonglow), it's still freaking me out. Paul went out to prune any blighted branches and burned them.
There were tons of blossoms on the pear trees earlier in the season, but it seems as we'll be getting zero pears this fall. Almost every single blossom was rotted. I'm not sure if we should take all the rotted blossoms off or not. I'd hate to lose those trees as they gave us a huge crop of pears last year.
I didn't get around to pruning trees this winter. And these pear trees really, really need a good whacking back. If they survive the year, I'll probably prune them down to the bare minimum in hopes of getting rid of all of the blight. It didn't seem to hurt the one we pruned back to the main trunk. In the meantime, today I'm off to the nursery to see if there's such a product to help with fire blight and to check out prices for new pear trees.
Pioneer Preppy was talking about fire blight a bit ago. Wonder if he, or anyone else, could chime in on how you treated fire blight and if it was worth the effort?
Thanks!
From what I read pruning and copper based treatments were the only way and the treatments didn't promise to do much either. That stuff was ugly and hit my trees almost overnight but they seem to have stabilized a bit so I am watching to see.
ReplyDeleteBE sure to dip the pruners in alcohol after each cut, or you will just spread the fireblight with every cut.
ReplyDeleteI have had it very badly in some years. Like you I bobbed off my pear tree and it looks strange but it is alive. As dry as this spring I am surprised you have it already. Like PioneerPreppy I read that not much does any real good but is worth a try. Also burning isn't recommended as it spreads the spores into the air. I keep watching my trees but so far; so good. I had it on Moonglow Pear, Tyson pears and on my heirloom apple tree last year. There is lots of facts about it on the internet. See if Arkansas Extension has some good advice.
ReplyDeletePP, yeah, that's about what I read. And two of the local nursery gals told me that it's a losing game & that I should just tear them out. I suppose I should, but I don't know if I can :(
ReplyDeleteMarivene, well, we didn't :( Just hoping for the best now and to try to keep on top of things.
gld, another thing we shouldn't have done I suppose, ugh. I'll try the AR Extension online....our local guy is a total dope (Love, love, LOVES Roundup for EVERY. STINKING. THING.)