Bradford Pear rust disease help

[formariz 11,991]

Bradford Pears in this and adjacent states are now totally afflicted with this rust disease. It is claimed to be incurable and they are already recommending that people not plant them and dispose of existing ones. This is a real dilemma for me since I have 5 beautiful ones which I planted with my oldest son when he was younger. Not only the sentimental value ,but also it would change the entire front of property. I am the only one left around here who has them merely because I have spent a small fortune in keeping them by having them sprayed three times each year. Cost for the year has been $800.00.

I wonder if any of you would know what the fungicide is that needs to be used on them. I bought a sprayer for that purpose, and already tried several fungicides without success. Of course I cannot get that information out of the service I used, even though I tried real hard.This year the cost will go up to almost $1000.00 for the year so its getting out of hand. I need to find out the correct fungicide if I am to save these trees. Any help greatly appreciated.

[Ed Kennell 39,822]

Sorry to hear this Cas.    When I read this, I panicked and ran out to check the  two dwarf pear trees I planted this spring.  I thought one was a Bradford, but it is a red Bartlett.   The other one is a moonglow.   The Bartlett has about 40 pears and I am concerned it is not capable of supporting that many fruit (physically and nutritionally).  I plan to contact our Penn State Ag extension for advice and I will ask about the spray for the bradfords.     I also planter two different kinds of plums and a Cortland an a  honeycrisp apple.      Maybe @SPINJIM will check in.  I know he has experience with fruit trees.      The only problem I have seen so far is some brown leaf on the honeycrisp.   I have sprayed and it seems to have slowed or stopped the disease.

The Red Bartlett

Plums

[SPINJIM 1,981]

I use Bonide Orchard Spray on my fruit trees, but since your Bradford Pear trees are NOT edible fruit, you might be able to use something stronger.  The commercial sprayers are allowed to use some sprays that the homeowners are not permitted by law to use.   If the Bradfords did not have sentimental value, I wouldn't recommend putting much effort into them.  When they get bigger, they're prone to splitting at the crotches.  I just had to take down six of them because three of them split in a high wind.   Pretty trees in the spring, but a problem later on.  Also, you might try thinning the branches to allow more air to circulate to help prevent the rust that is just a mildew / mold.   

   Good luck,  Jim

[wh500special 2,247]

Cas,

 

I’m not usually an advocate of taking down a mature tree, especially one of family value, but from what I’ve read these pears usually only last 20-25 years before they die in their own.  

 

And, as you know and has been pointed out, they have weak branches subject to wind damage.

 

Might be close to time to throw in the towel anyway.  So maybe just use commercially available fungicides and hope for the best.  

 

The bradford and other ornamental pears have been put on the undesirable invasive species lists throughout the country.  So many foresters and departments of natural resources are encouraging that they be cut down anyway.  They are apparently pollenating with native specimens and are spreading wildly.  

 

Hundreds of articles online.  I link just one from the Missouri DNR here.  

 

 https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/callery-pear-bradford-pear

 

unfortunately, the best time to plant a tree is always twenty years ago.  

 

Good luck. 

 

Steve

[formariz 11,991]

Yes I agree that they are fragile and require extensive attention specially when large.  Mine are really massive at this point. They are also the last tree to shed leaves well into snow season many times. I keep a 20 foot long piece of crown molding specifically for when it snows so I can shake the snow off of them. As to that perhaps some of the saving grace for mine is that they are close together, however that is also why they are perhaps more prone to fungus since they are least ventilated. They are pruned every couple of years being due again this fall. It has been a battle to keep them intact and that is why I am the only one that has them looking like this around here or has them at all.

What ever fungicide the professionals use works well but I just cant find out what it is. I'll keep trying different ones hopefully I will come across the right one. It will be a sad day when I can no longer keep them.