What's eating my medlar 'royal'?

Medlar 'Royal' is as naturally robust as other medlar selections and shares the same modest pest profile. Brown rot is the most damaging issue in damp seasons, affecting the fruit directly. Caterpillars can damage foliage at bud burst, and aphids sometimes colonize soft new growth. Good hygiene is usually sufficient.

Brown, spreading rot on ripening fruit with white spore tufts; fruit mummifies on the tree and acts as overwintering reservoir. Remove all diseased and mummified fruit; prune for open canopy airflow; collect fallen fruit promptly; no chemical treatment is usually required with good sanitation.

Young larvae feed at bud burst, webbing leaves and leaving small holes; heavy infestations reduce fruit set. Apply grease bands to the trunk in October before females ascend to lay eggs; spray Bt at early bud burst; encourage blue tit predation.

Soft new growth colonized; shoot tips distort and curl; honeydew coats leaves below and promotes sooty mold. Encourage natural predators; remove infested tips; use an insecticidal soap spray if colonies spread across multiple shoots.