comice tree issue

Question: Just planted a comice pear tree last October.  Now the leaves have some white spots on them, are curled, some holes and some dark leaves.  We had a comice tree in the same location and it did fine for several years, then it got dark leaves and dead branches.  Pictures attached.  We have a bartlett close by and it is doing fine.  Thanks for your help.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 31, 2023, 10:58 AM EDT
response: Hello.  From the pictures, it appears your have pear leaf blister as defined below:     Cause The fungus Taphrina bullata has been reported from Washington. Not a common issue in commercial production of pears likely due to pest control measures targeting other disease and insects. Symptoms Large, light-green to yellow, irregular blisters form on the upper surface of leaves. A white fungal bloom develops on the concave underside. The leaf blisters caused by eriophyid mites (pear rust mite, Epitrimerus pyri) are more common, smaller, can be reddish and are numerous on the leaf surface.   Please confirm if these are the symptoms you are seeing.  I will leave this question open for you to reply and let me know if this sounds right or not

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 31, 2023, 7:46 PM EDT
response: It doesn't quite sound right.  On the underside of the leaves, there are brown spots.  On the upper side, they are more like yellow. They also have some holes in the leaves like an insect has eaten them.  A few of the leaves turned brown.  Not sure.  IT could be what you described.Can the tree be saved?  How do we prevent this in the future?  An anitfungal?  Can this spread to our bartlett which is in close proximity?Thanks for your help.  On Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 07:58:59 AM PDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 01, 2023, 11:09 AM EDT
response: After further research, it is possible to be the following as well.  I am sorry, even with pictures sometimes is is hard to determine the exact cause  Pear rust.  In looking at the article below,, there is a picture that is  very much similar to yours.  The article explains the symptoms and control methods.  It appears if your pear tress are near some juniper, the fungus can spread.  It state that Barrett seem to have some resistance.  The article also outlines fungal treatments.  Would you review this article as the picture to see if you agree.     https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/pear-rust.html  I also reviewed posible insect infestations.  The closest would be the Eriphyid mite.  However, I dont think this is it.  Here is the link for you to review to see if you disagree.  http://pnwhandbooks.stage.extension.oregonstate.edu/insect/tree-fruit/pear/pear-eriophyid-mite  Again I am leaving is open for your reply.  I apologize, but many disease do look alike and sometimes even pictures can't solve it

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 03, 2023, 2:10 PM EDT
response: i think you are correct.  Seems like it could be pear rust.  There are some tall juniper type trees behind the tree in the neighbors yard.  This tree was just planted last October so it is young.  Is it too late to spray with a fungicide?  Which one is effective in southern Oregon? I hope we can save the tree and learn how to keep the rust away since we won't be able to remove the junipers.Again, thanks for the help and education!  On Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 08:10:06 AM PDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 03, 2023, 3:44 PM EDT
response: For pear rust, recommendations are as follows:  Non chemical:Avoid susceptible varieties such as ‘Winter Nelis’ and European and Oriental cultivars.Collect and destroy fallen fruit beneath trees.Plant resistant varieties such as ‘Bartlett’.Prune out and destroy rust-infected tissues in pears and alternate hosts.Remove alternate hosts in the vicinity of pear trees, when practical. As for chemical control, i include this link from the pacific northwest handbook.  they list several.  Unfortunately, it also says the time to apply is at bloom.  I suspect bloom has already occurred.  If you go with one of these, please follow all directions on the label.  http://pnwhandbooks.stage.extension.oregonstate.edu/plantdisease/host-disease/pear-pyrus-spp-pacific-coast-pear-rust