Sick Old Pear Tree - Anythoughts?

[Nimby]

Had a look at an old Pear Tree that could be a perry pear variety which is not well at all. A large area of the crown is dead with just a bit of life left at the tips of a number of branches thoughout the middle of the crown. On first view there appeared to be a form of canker staining & large areas of bark dieback. Any thoughts on management or trying to save it? Would a reduction kick start it or just kill it? What about a sugar feed type solution? One main limb will have to come out as there is a recent crack at the base and the target is next doors house. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Will post pics later.

[Nimby]

[slack ma girdle]

Take some cuttings in the winter and getting them grafted will be the only way of being certain of keeping the tree alive. Just make sure that the wood is clean and free from infection.

Looking a the pictures i would say that the tree is suffering from old age that has lead to infections that is making the problems worse. You can try cutting out the worst of the dead/ infected wood but given the amounts it will probably be too much and the tree will die.

Better off letting the tree die gracefully and leaving it for deadwood habitat, and replanting with the freshly grafted wood.

[treeseer]

" Would a reduction kick start it or just kill it?

 

If there are good buds to cut to, that may be warranted.

 

"One main limb will have to come out as there is a recent crack at the base and the target is next doors house.

 

Instead of risking the big wound and the shift in biomechanics by removal, have you considered just cabling the limb?

 

I like the propagating/veteranizing/replacing idea too.

[David Humphries]

I can't seem to see the pictures on my office internet connection, so can't see how bad the situation is.

 

Have you considered re-invigourating the root environment?

 

 

To mulch, or not to mulch ?

 

 

 

 

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[Nimby]

I did alert the Northern Fruit Group to this old tree 2 years ago and they took cuttings that i am informed are doing ok.

 

The problem is it is in a formal residential garden and it will be up to the owner how they want to proceed. After sleeping on it and thinking about the replies I will give him the options. Thanks for all the replies, really helpful.