Fireblight on Chanticleer ornamental pear tree

Question: Hello we spoke with the master gardeners at the Bel Air farmers market and they believe we night have Fireblight on out pear trees after showing them some samples of the foliage

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 01, 2023, 5:57 PM EDT
response: The pictured foliage appears to show symptoms of a different infection (some sort of fungal leaf spot, most likely) rather than Fire Blight, but pears are so vulnerable to that bacterial infection that it's quite possible both are present simultaneously. Some of the branch tips not in focus in the background of the third photo do appear to have symptoms resembling Fire Blight, where they look a bit burnt and wilted/crooked-over. In addition, we think we see signs of powdery mildew fungal infection as well, another typical ailment for a variety of common garden plants. (This is not to suggest it spread onto the tree from somewhere else in the garden. Rather, lots of plants get their own powdery mildew infection around the same time because of conducive weather conditions that allow the fungus to thrive.)  'Chanticleer' is a variety of Callery Pear, the group sometimes referred-to with the catch-all name of Bradford Pears (even though 'Bradford' is a specific cultivar of Callery Pear). This species of pear is invasive in a wide swath of the U.S. (and occurs state-wide in our natural areas) and is no longer recommended as a species to use in residential or commercial plantings. As per the MD Dept. of Agriculture who regulates invasive species, nurseries are still legally allowed to sell Callery Pears for the time being, but they are required to inform consumers of the ecological hazards and encourage the use of alternatives. If you are amenable to it, we recommend its removal for this reason along with the fact that it's vulnerable to several significant problems, including storm branch breakage due to poor branch connections that lead to weaker wood. Granted, no tree species is immune to problems, but at least the use of a native species would provide more wildlife value and many are less problem-prone overall than Callery Pear. There are many candidates to choose from and matching one with the site conditions present compared with its preferences will help ensure it is minimally-stressed and can thrive.  The page linked above mentions how to deal with Fire Blight but a fungal leaf spot and mildew outbreak won't be responsive to a fungicide treatment as such methods are preventative and not curative. Additionally, treating a mature tree would probably be costly (several applications per year by a professional pesticide applicator would be needed) and fungicides can risk harm to pollinators and other organisms, plus they don't always provide effective disease suppression every year if the weather is uncooperative.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 05, 2023, 9:05 AM EDT
response: Miri,Thank you for the info- we have a Maple tree, Magnolia, and birch tree nearby the Pear trees can the fire blight or other disease spread to those trees? On Thu, Jun 1, 2023 at 5:57 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 05, 2023, 10:53 AM EDT
response: Those three trees should be fine and are not at risk, though Fire Blight could spread (next spring) to other tree members of the rose family, which include crabapple, apple, flowering or fruiting cherry, flowering or fruiting plum, etc.  Miri