Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture two inches below the surface.
- Inspect the leaves for signs of pests or fungal spots.
- Review your recent watering schedule.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves feel crispy and the soil is dry several inches down. This happens when the tree cannot pull enough moisture to the leaf edges.
What to do: Water the tree deeply once every 7 to 14 days during hot or dry weather. Ensure the water reaches 12 to 18 inches deep into the soil to hydrate the root zone.
Salt buildup
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown even when the soil feels damp. This often happens if you use heavy fertilizers or have hard water.
What to do: Flush the soil by watering slowly and deeply for 30 minutes to wash away excess salts. Avoid using synthetic fertilizers for the rest of the season.
Find out what's wrong with your pear tree
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
When to worry
It is normal for older leaves to brown slightly as the season ends. Worry if the browning spreads rapidly across the entire canopy.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering schedule and apply a layer of mulch to keep the soil moisture steady.
Keep your pear tree healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Should I trim the brown tips off?
- You can trim them for looks, but it does not fix the underlying issue. Use clean, sharp shears to avoid damaging the healthy tissue.
- Does fertilizer cause brown tips?
- Yes, too much fertilizer can burn the roots and show up as brown leaf tips. Always follow the package directions for fruit trees.
More problems with Pear tree
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.