It’s hard to find a tree that puts on a show quite like the ornamental pear.
Plant any of the popular ornamental pear tree varieties, and you’ll be rewarded with white spring flowers and stunning autumn foliage.
Even better, the ornamental pear is hardy. It’s a popular street tree in Australia because it can thrive even in urban pollution.
But like any plant, it can be susceptible to diseases, pests, or environmental stress if not properly cared for.
The good news is that most ornamental pear problems can be prevented and treated.
Diseases | Pests | Nutrient Deficiency | Environmental Stress | Care and Maintenance
Common Ornamental Pear Tree Problems
This chart can help you identify common ornamental pear tree problems before they become serious.
| CATEGORY | PROBLEM | SIGNS |
|---|---|---|
| Diseases | Fire blight | Blackened flowers and leaves that look scorched |
| Leaf spot | Reddish-brown or black spots on leaves | |
| Pear rust | Bright orange spots on leaves | |
| Root rot | Yellowing, wilting leaves; dark, foul-smelling roots | |
| Pests | Aphids, scale insects, and spider mites | Tiny bugs under leaves; yellowing, curling leaves |
| Caterpillars and moths | Damaged, falling leaves | |
| Nutrient deficiency | Iron or magnesium deficiency | Yellow edges and spots on leaves |
| Nitrogen deficiency | Pale leaves; stunted growth | |
| Potassium deficiency | Necrotic spots; brown leaf tips | |
| Zinc deficiency | Small, irregularly shaped leaves | |
| Environmental stress | Frost damage | Blackened, dead branches |
| Wind damage | Broken branches, split or leaning trunk |
Ornamental Pear Tree Diseases
Ornamental pear trees can become prone to bacterial and fungal infections if the foliage grows too dense.
You can prevent disease by pruning ornamental pear trees regularly. This increases airflow between branches and leaves.
If you planted several trees, hiring a pruning expert can make the job much easier!
You can also use a natural DIY fungicide (1 tbsp baking soda mixed in 1L of water) in early spring. This helps protect your ornamental pear’s new leaves from pathogens.
When pruning due to infection, seal the cut parts in a rubbish bag and dispose of them separately — do not put them in a compost bin!
This prevents the disease from spreading out to the rest of your garden.
Note: Stronger treatments should only be used for severe disease. Always check with a local nursery expert to find the best solution for your tree.
Fire blight
Signs: Blackened flowers and leaves
Treatment: Consult with an expert
Fire blight is a serious bacterial disease (caused by Erwinia amylovora) that makes ornamental pear trees look scorched.
The first sign of fire blight in ornamental pears is wilted, blackened flowers and leaves that stay attached to branches.
However, the disease can affect the entire tree. Fruits may develop sunken black spots, and branches can ooze sticky amber droplets.
Fire blight is often treated with an antibacterial solution containing copper, streptomycin, or terramycin.
However, it’s best to get advice from an expert, since fire blight can spread rapidly and kill your ornamental pear!
Important: Fire blight is currently not present in Australia. But if you notice any signs, report it to your local pest control hotline immediately.
Leaf spot
Signs: Tiny reddish-brown or black spots on leaves
Treatment: Prune affected parts and spray with fungicide
Leaf spot is a fungal disease that can hit ornamental pear trees during prolonged rainy periods — especially in early spring.
In ornamental pears, leaf spot is usually caused by the fungus Fabraea or Entomosporium.
It can show up as small, round spots in leaves: reddish-brown for Fabraea and black for Entomosporium.
If leaf spot spreads, your ornamental pear can lose much of its foliage.
At the first sign of disease, prune infected areas and clear away any fallen leaves. Then use a baking soda solution to prevent further spread.
For severe cases, use a fungicide with these ingredients:
- For Fabraea: Copper, ferbam, or mancozeb
- For Entomosporium: Chlorothalonil, myclobutanil, or propiconazole
When spraying, make sure to coat all leaf surfaces and other affected parts. Follow label instructions for reapplication timing.
Pear rust
Signs: Bright orange spots on leaves
Treatment: Prune affected parts and spray with fungicide
If you see orange spots or powdery spores on your ornamental pear leaves after a humid period, it’s likely pear rust.
Pear rust is a fungal disease caused by Gymnosporangium. Like other fungi in plants, it usually appears after a long bout of rain.
Once you see any sign of pear rust, immediately cut off the infected parts of your ornamental pear. Then use a baking soda spray to protect the rest of the tree.
If the disease is widespread, use a fungicide with myclobutanil or any product labelled for pear rust.
Be sure to spray all leaf surfaces, and check the label for when to reapply.
If your pear tree is near a juniper plant, it’s more at risk, as Gymnosporangium needs a pear and a juniper host to survive.
The best solution is to remove one of them from your garden. If that’s not an option, keep them at least 30m apart and regularly check both plants for signs of rust.
Root rot
Signs: Yellowing, wilting leaves; stunted growth
Treatment: Prune affected roots; replant in well-draining soil
Root rot in ornamental pears is usually caused by overwatering, prolonged wet seasons, or poor drainage. Soggy soil invites fungi that attack the roots.
In ornamental pears, signs of root rot include yellowing, wilting leaves and stunted growth.
To check, gently dig around the base of the ornamental pear tree to reveal the roots.
Rotten roots will be dark (brown or black), mushy, and foul-smelling. Once you’ve confirmed the rot, stop watering your tree.
Trim off affected roots using clean, sharp shears. Disinfect your shears between cuts using rubbing alcohol — this prevents the disease from spreading!
Replant young ornamental pears in well-draining soil or a raised bed.
If the disease is advanced, consult an arborist about using a fungicide.
Ornamental Pear Tree Pests
Early pest detection is key to protecting your ornamental pear tree. Check regularly for crawling insects and damaged or discoloured leaves.
If the pests are confined to a small area, prune the affected parts to stop their spread.
Avoid using harsh pesticides, as they can harm beneficial insects along with the pests.
Aphids, scale insects, and spider mites
Signs: Tiny bugs; yellowing leaves that often curl or twist
Treatment: Insecticidal soap or neem oil
Yellowing, curling leaves on an ornamental pear tree may be caused by sap-sucking pests.
Some common sap-sucking pests include aphids, scale insects, and spider mites. They drain nutrients from ornamental pear trees and stunt their growth.
Regularly check under the leaves of the ornamental pear for:
- Aphids: small white, green, or black insects
- Scale insects: brown, immobile bumps
- Spider mites: moving red, yellow, or brown dots
For small ornamental pear trees, blast pests off with a strong stream of water from a garden hose before applying treatment.
For larger trees, you can go straight to using an insecticidal soap or neem oil:
- Insecticidal soap: 1 tbsp liquid castile soap + 1L water
- Neem oil: Half a tablespoon of neem oil + a few drops of dish soap + 1L water
Spray thoroughly, focusing on the underside of the leaves.
Do this in the early morning or late evening when it’s cooler and the sun is less harsh. That prevents the solution from drying too quickly. Repeat every 7-10 days if needed.
Caterpillars and moths
Signs: Damaged and falling leaves
Treatment: Neem oil or Bacillus thuringiensis
Ornamental pears are deciduous trees that naturally shed their leaves in winter.
However, significant leaf loss outside of winter or damaged leaves could be a sign of caterpillars and moths.
These pests feed on the ornamental pear’s foliage and, if left unchecked, can strip your tree bare.
For mild infestations, wash the pests off with a forceful blast of water from a gardening hose.
Then, check for egg masses under the leaves or on branches. Look for small, sticky clumps that may be white to pale yellow, greenish, or brown.
These won’t wash off, so wear gloves and scrape them off by hand.
If your ornamental pear is heavily infested, use neem oil or a product with Bacillus thuringiensis, a biological pesticide found in the soil.
Follow the product instructions, and coat both sides of the leaves when spraying.
Apply the solution in the morning or evening. Reapply every 7-10 days until the caterpillars are gone.
Ornamental Pear Tree Nutrient Deficiencies
Signs: Discoloured leaves and stunted growth
Treatment: All-purpose fertiliser applied in spring and autumn
If your ornamental pear tree has discoloured or deformed leaves but there are no pests, a nutrient deficiency may be the cause.
Watch for these signs:
- Zinc deficiency: small, irregularly shaped leaves
- Nitrogen deficiency: pale leaves and stunted growth
- Potassium deficiency: necrotic spots and burnt leaf tips
- Iron or magnesium deficiency: yellow leaf spots or edges
Potassium deficiency can resemble fire blight, but there’s a key difference.
Fire blight makes flowers and leaves look completely scorched, while potassium deficiency causes browning at the edges and tips.
To restore the ornamental pear’s health, feed it with a slow-release, general-purpose fertiliser in spring and autumn.
You can also apply compost or manure around the base once a year or every two years.
Ornamental Pear Trees and Environmental Stress
Mature ornamental pears are adaptable across different climates. However, younger trees can be more vulnerable to environmental stress.
Frost damage
Signs: Blackened, dead branches
Treatment: Wait a few days before pruning damaged parts
Most ornamental pears — including popular varieties like Capital, Snow Pear, and Manchurian Pear trees — are cold-hardy once established.
However, young and newly planted trees can be vulnerable to frost in colder Aussie regions.
Signs of frost damage in ornamental pears include blackened and shrivelled branches.
Do not prune the damaged parts right away. Wait a few days (or even weeks) so you can see the full extent of the issue.
As the weather warms, the healthy parts of the ornamental pear tree will sprout new flowers and leaves.
Once you’re certain which parts won’t recover, remove them in late winter or early spring.
Cut just below the affected branches using sharp, clean shears or loppers.
To minimise frost damage, protect young ornamental pear trees with frost cloths or blankets.
Water the roots and mulch around the base before frost to help with insulation.
Wind damage
Signs: Broken branches, split trunks
Treatment: Prune damaged branches
Ornamental pear trees — especially Bradford pears — have naturally weak branch structures that are prone to wind damage.
The Bradford pear has a pyramid shape when young, with branches that grow upright and close together.
This growth habit creates weak points right where the branches attach to the trunk.
Over time, as the branches grow bigger, they’re more likely to snap from strong winds.
Worse, the ornamental pear’s trunk could split and young trees could be uprooted.
If your tree is damaged by wind, remove any broken branches that could fall and cause injury.
Then, prune the broken branches back to healthy wood. Make clean cuts to help your ornamental pear tree heal.
For leaning trees or split trunks, it’s best to call a certified arborist to assess and fix the damage.
To reduce the risk of wind damage, choose sturdier ornamental pear tree varieties like the Cleveland Select.
Plant the tree in a location protected from wind, or use stakes for extra support.
Some Care Tips for the Ornamental Pear Tree
Growing ornamental pear trees is rewarding — they’re beautiful and low-maintenance!
You can prevent most ornamental pear issues by planting them in a sunny spot, ideally sheltered from strong winds.
As for soil, ornamental pears can adapt to most types, as long as drainage is good.
Also, they’re quite drought-tolerant. You’ll only need to water them when the top 5cm of soil feels dry.
Just avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal infections, especially for young ornamental pears.
Fertiliser isn’t usually necessary. But if signs of nutrient deficiency show up, apply a balanced fertiliser in spring and autumn.
Lastly, prune your ornamental pear tree lightly and regularly. The best time for pruning is in late winter or early spring, during dormancy.
This helps maintain their size and shape, improves airflow, and reduces the risk of diseases.
