Help..... I cannot identify the issue!

snappytt

Hello, can anyone help to identify the issues I have with my apple and pear trees? I’ve tried anti fungus, pesticides, and jet washing... the issues still exists. I’d appreciate any advice
regards Andrew

Dovefromabove

What are you referring to? The downy surface on the unfurling new leaves? Perfectly normal on young leaves of apples and pears ... as the leaves grow and open out they lose the downy covering. 

My pear is a bit further ahead than yours, most of the down has gone and the edges of the leaves are still unfurling. 

I hope you don’t mind me pointing this out, but please don’t use fungicides and pesticides without identifying what you are treating. Pests and fungal conditions are developing resistance (like antibiotic resistance) ... some serious human illnesses are caused by fungal conditions, and doctors are finding that their medicines are becoming less effective as the fungi are building up resistance due to the amount of fungicide in use in agriculture and gardening etc.  ☹️ 

pansyface

It looks like just the normal fuzzy stuff that buds cover themselves in to keep off predators and bad weather.

Someone else may think otherwise.

snappytt

Hi. Thanks for your support,  I don’t think it’s normal as the leaf growth is very stunted, It’s on both apple and pear trees. On the pear tree there’s a mix of normal growth leaves and very stunted ones with this fuzz on, the apple tree in the first picture, the leaves are all stunted. These are fairly mature trees who in previous years have grown well and produced lots of fruit. Last year I think there was a hint of this with no fruit on either. Now it seems to have returned. I can’t see any aphids or eggs etc and it doesn’t really look like a traditional mould either. I’ve tried to research it but am not getting anywhere. I’d ordinarily go to my local garden centr for advice, but can’t at present. Any advice appreciated 

apple tree

pear tree

Dovefromabove

If leaves aren’t developing well at this time of year it may be due to dry soil at the roots.  If your trees are ear a fence they may be in a rainshadow. 

A couple of buckets full of water per tree every other day tie ten days, whether it rains or not, is what I would do. 

Bijdezee

Things that come to mind are:-

Woolly aphid??
Hormone weed killer damage?? With regard to the stunted looking parts.
I heard the gardening show on radio kent and he was saying that if weed killer has been used and the material composted there can be traces in the compost and if used in the garden causes stunting. Is there any chance of that? 

Dovefromabove

I think the little bit of damage I can see is where frost has nipped tender  new growth where it’s above the protection provided by the fence. The foliage lower down is fine.