No other part of the tree is affected, but there s no hope of fruit without blossoms. So, when time permits, I m considering making pearwood picture frames. Some years ago I read about a pear called the Orient in a southern grower s catalog. The part of the description that stood out to me was highly resistant to fire blight. I embarked on another pear trial and have never regretted it, as the Orient grew with vigor, produced a few pears its third year, and has been going strong ever since with no fire blight.
Fire blight can be devastating to many trees and shrubs.
Here the blight has blackened a major portion of a young Seckel pear tree necessitating removal of a large part of its growth. Orient pears are not as fine grained as the Bartletts, but many of the Orient fruits will weigh a pound a piece. The fruit is excellent when canned in light syrup for dessert or salad use, but is a little too juicy for preserves or pear honey. Most pears are ready to pick when they may be snapped off by lifting them up and having them break away easily from the limbs. The best way to enjoy fresh pears is to harvest them when they will break away, as mentioned, putting them in a cool place inside the house for a few days.