Troubleshooting
Anjou pear problems — and how to fix them
Anjou pear (Pyrus communis 'Beurré d'Anjou') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Fire blight (Erwinia amylovora)
Bacterial infection causing blossoms, shoots, and branches to blacken and die back with a 'shepherd's crook' curl. Remove infected wood at least 30 cm below visible infection; sterilise tools between cuts. Choose resistant rootstocks and avoid excess nitrogen.
Pear scab (Venturia pirina)
Fungal disease producing dark, scabby lesions on fruit skin and leaves, reducing marketability. Apply copper or sulphur-based sprays at green-tip stage and repeat through petal fall. Rake and destroy fallen leaves in autumn.
Poor fruit set / no pollination
'Beurré d'Anjou' is not reliably self-fertile. Plant at least one compatible pollinator of the same bloom-time group (e.g. 'Bartlett', 'Bosc', or 'Comice') within 15 m. Absence of a pollinator is the most common cause of crop failure.
Prevent anjou pear problems before they start
Most anjou pear issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Anjou pear problems — FAQ
Why is my anjou pear fire blight (erwinia amylovora)?
Bacterial infection causing blossoms, shoots, and branches to blacken and die back with a 'shepherd's crook' curl. Remove infected wood at least 30 cm below visible infection; sterilise tools between cuts. Choose resistant rootstocks and avoid excess nitrogen.
Why is my anjou pear pear scab (venturia pirina)?
Fungal disease producing dark, scabby lesions on fruit skin and leaves, reducing marketability. Apply copper or sulphur-based sprays at green-tip stage and repeat through petal fall. Rake and destroy fallen leaves in autumn.
Why is my anjou pear poor fruit set / no pollination?
'Beurré d'Anjou' is not reliably self-fertile. Plant at least one compatible pollinator of the same bloom-time group (e.g. 'Bartlett', 'Bosc', or 'Comice') within 15 m. Absence of a pollinator is the most common cause of crop failure.