Ornamental Pear Tree Leaves Are Curling Changing Colors And Dropping

Question From: J. Grant - Chantilly, Virginia, United States
Q: I have both Bradford and Cleveland ornamental pear trees, about 10 years old and looking great. Except this year (April in Northern Virginia), the leaves are all out, but many of them are dying. The distal end of the leaves is curling and drying and there is a black band about 1/8 inch wide going from one side of the leaf to the other. It's affecting all 5 of my pear trees, though they do not all touch each other physically. The Cleveland's are the worst and the Bradford's only have a little. They're dropping a lot of leaves and some of the leaves are turning a bright red that starts at the center vein and radiates outward. I've searched high and low and cannot find a diagnosis. Not fire blight, no black spot, not brown leaves.

A: May be pear rust disease - if they were my trees I would get an onsite inspection by a professional- a certified arborist. To find one in your area go to www.tcia.org and enter your zip code. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy

Comment: That's a great idea! Thank you!

Response: