Ian Gilbert asked 14 years ago
We have a mature pear tree in our garden which has developed rust spots on the leaves. On the other side of the rust spot is a growth – we have discovered it is a disease called Pear Trellis Rust. Are you aware of any cure for this? Other websites we have researched on seem to point to the fact the tree needs to be removed.
Gerry Daly Staff answered 6 years ago
Rust diseases are generally relatively light on the host, and this one imposes hardly any load on the tree. In general pear trees are quite vigorous and well able to tolerate this pathogen, even if it looks more dramatic than it is.
A spray containing the acitve ingredient myclobutanil, such as Fungus Clear 2, is good on rusts, though this is hardly worth spraying. The spray will control pear scab too. And apple scab and powdery mildew.
There is no reason why the tree would be removed.
Rust diseases in general are not very damaging in the cooler climate Northern Europe. They are mostly diseases of warm climate.
