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Callery pear · Pyrus calleryana

Why is my Callery pear losing its leaves?

It is less common for a healthy Callery pear to drop leaves prematurely, so this usually points to environmental stress or a sudden change in conditions. Check your soil moisture levels first to see if the tree is either too dry or sitting in standing water.

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Check these first

  1. Feel the soil moisture at a depth of 3 inches.
  2. Inspect the leaves for signs of wilting or discoloration.
  3. Check the base of the tree for standing water.

Likely causes

  1. Drought stress

    Possible

    How to tell: Leaves may turn brown at the edges or curl before falling off during hot, dry spells.

    What to do: Water the tree deeply once every 7 to 14 days. Ensure the water reaches 12 to 18 inches deep into the soil to encourage deep roots.

  2. Waterlogging

    Possible

    How to tell: The soil stays soggy for days after rain, and the foliage may look yellow or wilted.

    What to do: Stop watering immediately and check if the area has poor drainage. If the soil is heavy clay, consider adding organic compost to improve soil structure.

Leaf drop in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your callery pear

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

It is normal for this tree to shed its leaves in late autumn as part of its natural cycle. Worry if you see significant leaf loss during the peak of summer.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a consistent watering schedule during the first 3 years of growth to help the tree establish a strong root system.

Callery pear: leaf drop? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your callery pear and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Is it normal for my tree to lose leaves in August?
No, that is usually a sign of heat or water stress. Check your watering schedule.
Should I fertilize a tree that is dropping leaves?
Avoid fertilizing until you identify the cause. Adding fertilizer to a stressed tree can make the problem worse.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Callery pear

Back to the Callery pear guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.