My pear tree is dying. Certain branches and their leaves are turning black and appear to be dead, yet the leaves remain attached to the branch. How do I find out what is affecting this tree? Will this disease spread to apples and grapes?

Answer:
My first thought is that your pear tree has fire blight. Fire blight is a disease that commonly affects pears, apples, hawthorn, and other members of the rose family. The disease spreads rapidly and can sometimes kill a tree within a growing season. If fire blight is the problem, you will notice on closer inspection the presence of reddish sticky droplets coming from the infected area. You will also see a bending at the end of the infected branch that makes it look like a shepherd’s crook. Your grapes will not be affected.

However, your apples could be. Vigilant observation and taking care of problems when they begin will be most important. Checking on your trees every few days, starting around the time the flower petals fall, will go a long way in preventing loss. If the disease is not widespread, you may be able to control it with prudent pruning and spraying. For more specific management instructions, see the fact sheet “Fire Blight of Apple and Pear” by Jim Travis, Jo Rytter, and Ken Hickey at: http://fpath.cas.psu.edu/Apple/FBAP.html . To view other fact sheets regarding diseases of apples, pears, and small fruit, go to: http://fpath.cas.psu.edu/factsite.htm