Question
QUESTION: Marc,

We moved into this house almost 7 years ago.  Among other plantings, there are two Bradfords.  I am unsure as to how long ago they were planted.  Both of them have been doing fine until now.  The one in the backyard looks "sickly".  It bloomed normally, but the blooms are now turning brown and there are very few leaves.  The other Bradford, located between us and our neighbors, is doing great!  

Any ideas as to what might be happening to the Bradford in the backyard?

Thank you,
Beth

ANSWER: It is most likely one of two things: age or fire blight.

Bradfords are relatively resistant to disease or poor soil conditions. In out area it is high boron, but these beautiful trees do great in soil that would kill most other trees!

However, they are very short-lived , only surviving 20-25 years...some communities discourage using them because of this fact.  There are older-lived pear varieties, but not really that much better - lifespans of 45-50, or so.

As to disease: tips of fire blight-infected branches appear scorched and burnt.  If looks like the case, then I'd call an arborist in.

Either way, I hate to see this happening to such a beautiful tree.

-Marc

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Marc,

What we're seeing doesn't sound like fire blight.  I'll do a little more research to be sure.  If it's age, what should we do?  

By the way,  the backyard slopes.  Therefore, some of the roots are exposed.  And it's the main tree/bush our male dog relieves himself on.  Could either of these issues be the cause of the problem?

Thank you,
Beth Athey


Answer
I'm 90% sure its age...Dogs (and other critters) help by adding amonia and nitrogen.  Unless you're running a kennel and its really HEAVY deposits, I wouldn't blame the dog, just yet.

Maybe its the roots, but the top 10-12 inches or so have to be exposed.  It maybe other things like oil from a car-change, or spilled herbicide...the result is the same: poor tree performance.

I'd wait and see.  If it starts to "die back" and whole branches turn up dead, then I'd remove it altogether - it will have become a danger to be around.  

In the meantime, I'd try fertilizing it with specific tree-fertilizer (look for it at Lowes/Home Depot, etc), and maybe you'll get a few more years out of it - but it WILL eventually need to be removed.  They just don't live that long.   Sorry -M