help with sad looking ornamental pear (chanticleer)

Sennaha · Mar 24, 2017 9:33 am

Planted last September but is looking rather stressed now. I feel I give it plenty of water. Any ideas on what I can try?

I'm located in Perth, Tree is on north side of house so gets plenty of sun. Soil was typically sandy so added compost, bentonite clay and a few other ingredients (as per Fu's lawn prep guide).

As you can see from the pictures leaves curled and some have these black spots. All that said it still seems to be growing, sprouting new shoots/ leaves.

http://imgur.com/a/DOZon

shamuscassar.sc · Mar 24, 2017 10:01 am

Mine looked sad in the first year given they were in pots for a while and then planted while it was hot. They had similar symptoms as yours.

A positive sign is new growth which means they are still healthy. I would keep up the water and fertiliser and by next growing season they should be ok.

TheGardenWhisperer · Mar 24, 2017 4:25 pm

My reaction when I checkout your tree
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Will it be OK?
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It's a bit stressed, though the leaves will be dropping soonish.
Add some more compost. Use Seasol weekly if you want.

It will settle in. If it were in my yard, I'd not be concerned at all.

Many exotic trees can look tired at the end of summer, especially newly planted ones.

Sennaha · Mar 26, 2017 1:52 pm

cheers guys

TheGardenWhisperer · Mar 26, 2017 11:53 pm

Oh, I should mention that is bloody a big pear to have so near the house like that.
A 10m tree just a few meters from a house, things might not go so well in the near future for the slab.

Sennaha · Mar 27, 2017 7:53 pm

The Garden Whisperer

Oh, I should mention that is bloody a big pear to have so near the house like that.
A 10m tree just a few meters from a house, things might not go so well in the near future for the slab.

Yeah, you are right... but I'm not planning on letting it get much taller. Please correct me if this is the wrong thinking? (Im a complete novice)

Its currently about 2m tall and 2m from the window/house. Ill keep it below 3m and prune to shape... bad idea?

TheGardenWhisperer · Mar 27, 2017 11:13 pm

It's gardeners myth that pruning a plant keeps a root system under control.
A tree of that size will develop a root system that would be risky.

A 5m tree 3m from a slab, sure should be ok.
A 10m tree (trimmed or not) you'd want around 6-8m from the slab.
That's what I would feel comfortable with. This concept has been thrown around in some interesting discussions with senior Horts and Arboriculturists.

Sennaha · Apr 02, 2017 11:08 am

The Garden Whisperer

It's gardeners myth that pruning a plant keeps a root system under control.
A tree of that size will develop a root system that would be risky.

Ahhh, well I guess Its got to come out now :cry:

..,,shame as I really like that type of tree. It would have been great as the leaves drop I still get the winter sun. Amy suggestion what I should replace with?

Also I have a Magnolia Little Gem on the other side, how would that go as its half the size?

TheGardenWhisperer · Apr 30, 2017 11:12 pm

Replace it with a dwarf Apple or Pear. There are quite a few varieties to choose from.

Pinkabelle is one that comes to mind. It would a be perfect size.

The Little Gems should come away from the house a bit. Not such an issue like the Pears are. You might not get the best out of them though.