What is wrong with my pear tree

Hi All,

My pear tree has been like this for a couple of years now. I was hoping it would fix itself but it doesnt look like it will. Any idea what is wrong with it and how can i treat it? many thanks in advance for any advice.

Welcome to Permies!

Besides looks, what are you experiencing with the tree if I may ask?

Leaf drop or curl? Fruit issues?

I'm not an expert by any means with pears, I just am unsure of the issue by these pictures.

I also haven't drank my coffee yet so if it is staring me in the face please forgive me

well there is the fruit issue but the tree itself seems to have a lot of whitish spots on it all over. the leaves were also full of spots. The fruit is far less now and doesnt seem to grow.

the white spots are lichen and nothing to worry about. the fissures in the bark are questionable, though. do you have any pictures of the tree while it still had leaves on it?

I agree with Greg, the white spots are lichen and are harmless.

I do notice that there is a noticeable amount of grass around the tree trunk. Established fruit trees get to a point where they outcompete grasses and weeds for nutrients/water but a struggling tree it might be worth giving it a nice mulch ring with perhaps an application of compost?

Depending on the issue, that might give your tree enough good things working for it that you may see improvement.

Just to make it absolutely clear, I'm spit balling the effectiveness due to not being able to pinpoint the issue you are having.

Thanks Tim. I will try as you suggested. The fruit a couple fo years ago use to be very healthy and big but its shrunk now like an inflated ballon.

Hi Syed,
I'm thinking you might have a bit of canker there. It looks to me like patches of bark are dying back? Bad news if so. Some pear trees are more resistant than others. You can try cutting right back into clean wood - I'd leave it till leaf drop now. Use clean tools and clean tools afterwards to try and avoid spreading it. As long as you cut above the graft (usually a few inches from the ground) the tree will come back true and strong.

If not, you mention that you are getting fewer and smaller fruit. I'm wondering if your tree has lost a neighbouring pollinating tree? Most pears are at best only partially self fertile and need an unrelated tree to exchange pollen with. If someone took down an old (maybe diseased) tree nearby a few years ago that would mean your tree would not be able to set fruit so well from the blossom. Just a thought.