Weeping pear problem

csimons55

i planted a young 6' weeping pear about two months ago and it has been great. However, some of the leaves have started to wilt. It has been regularly watered and although it is windy here (North Wales) I understand that it should be able to withstand wind. I should be grateful for advice and comments.

Fairygirl

They'll certainly withstand wind no problem once established. 
Is it quite a big specimen? It's hard to tell from the photo how it looks and what the planting conditions are, but if it's a biggish plant, it'll take a  lot of water to keep it going until established. Wind will affect it because it dries out the soil, but it can also affect young foliage, especially if it's been grown in more protected conditions, and it's new home is more exposed. It does  look quite an open site.
It may simply be a little bit of wind damage to the soft new foliage though.

csimons55

Thanks, that’s helpful. It is an exposed site and came from the supplier a couple of months ago where it was, as you suggest, probably protected. It is a very young tree about 5’8” high. Any suggestions as to what to do now? 

Fairygirl

I wouldn't worry too much. Make sure it doesn't go short of water over the next few months, and it should be well enough established by then.  
If it's planted into the grass, and you haven't cleared an area of a few feet around the base, I'd do that. It helps if there isn't too much competition for water and nutrients. You can then add a mulch of bark, or just a thick layer of good compost, on that cleared soil after a good soak, and that will help retain the moisture too. Just keep it a few inches away from the main trunk, so that it doesn't sit up against it.
Hopefully you should get some new growth over the next month or two, and you can either take off the damaged leaves, or just let them drop by themselves. 

susanmcintyre04

I have the same problem on a small weeping pear planted approx 4 years ago in a large container. Same last year and I cut all the affected leaves off and cut it back last autumn.  I am also regularly spraying with plant disease defence. Leaves and growing tips started out fine this year but now going the same way from about middle of June.  
I am removing all affected leaves when I spot it. Any thing else I can do? Is this caused by a disease, or insects? I  keep it watered well.