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Pear tree · Pyrus

Why is my pear tree dropping its leaves?

It is less common for healthy pear trees to drop leaves mid-season, which usually suggests a severe drought or a fungal infection. Check the fallen leaves for orange spots or scorched branches to rule out disease.

Check these first

  1. Look at the underside of the leaves for spots.
  2. Check if the soil is bone dry.
  3. Examine the branches for scorched, black tips.

Likely causes

  1. Drought stress

    Most likely

    How to tell: Leaves turn yellow or brown before falling off during a long dry spell. The tree is shedding foliage to conserve its remaining water.

    What to do: Provide a deep, slow soak around the drip line of the tree. Repeat this every 7 to 14 days until the weather cools.

  2. Pear rust

    Possible

    How to tell: You will see bright orange or yellow spots on the leaves before they drop. This fungal issue is common in humid climates.

    What to do: Remove and destroy all fallen leaves to stop the spread of spores. Apply a copper fungicide in early spring to protect new growth.

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.

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When to worry

It is normal for a pear tree to drop leaves in late autumn as it prepares for winter. Worry if the tree loses most of its leaves in mid-summer.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the area under the tree clean of debris and ensure the tree gets full sun to keep leaves dry.

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.

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Questions people ask

Will my tree die if it loses leaves?
Not necessarily, but it will be weakened for next year. Focus on consistent watering to help it recover.
Is leaf drop contagious?
If caused by a fungus like rust, yes. Rake up all fallen leaves immediately to prevent reinfection next year.

More problems with Pear tree

Back to the Pear tree guide

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.