Question
leaf
Hi. We planted 3 6-8' Cleveland Select trees in the spring. We have had a very odd summer...cooler and wetter.... the leaves are turning brown, red, orange, yellow and dropping (there are healthy green leaves too). No symptoms of Fire Blight. Could they just be turning early?? I just want to make sure they don't have a disease or they need more or less watering....I'm in Kansas City area
thanks, Brandi
AnswerBrandi:
I agree, doesn't look like FB. That is the worse infectious disease we have here in this area. I suspect that the color pattern shown in your photo plus defoliation is a root stress situation. Here in this part of the world, we associate these symptoms of "fall coloration" and leaf drop to the heat and/or dry conditions. We had quite a bit of rain in the spring, but we have gone through some dry periods too. Just be sure to have adequate water to the soil- just moist w/o excesses. Another thing that is helpful is to be sure that the trunk area does not get damaged (bark removed or injured). String trimmers and lawnmowers seem to be naturally drawn to (maybe some kind of magnetic attraction-who knows!) these trees. When that happens- it is almost like a death sentence everytime- so be sure to keep the distance there.
If I am not mistaken, all of these ornamental (Callery) pears have been grafted and over the last few years we are seeing more and more of these ornamental pears turning purple and losing their leaves. No one has figured out the cause, but a lot of the trees have sustained trunk and/or root damage previously. This is not always the case- but it is much of the time. Some folks have speculated that there may be an inherited weakness that causes them to go down hill during the summer months, especially on older trees. This phenomena has been reported in several southern and southeastern states.
Right now, I would suggest adequate waterings, especially during hot/dry times plus avoiding any wounds to the trunk or roots.
Steve
