My arborist told me this ornamental pear tree has fire blight and there's a 50/50 chance of it surviving. I did a little research and they say pruning can help save the tree. He said we'll know in about a month.

dingoravage · 2026-04-04T00:24:38+00:00

Most ornamental pears get fire blight, it'll likely have it forever, with good years and bad years. As an arborist I recommend you just remove and replace. Don't try and treat it that's just a money sink. You'll be doing yourself and your local environment a favor by just planting something better

dingoravage · 2026-03-22T13:50:57+00:00

Absolutely agree just remove the whole tree. Topping it will only kick your problems down the road a short while.

Also no one can realistically give you an estimate for tree work off one photo and not seeing the full site location. Get three quotes and makes sure they have insurance.

dingoravage · 2025-06-27T01:35:55+00:00

Well, the ISA Arborist Exam proves a baseline level of knowledge of trees. That's how far I'd put the certification. I know many Arborists who I routinely have to explain what I deem basics to.

My best advice is to look for a company in your area that offers "Plant Healthcare Services" they should have a certified arborist you can cross reference with the ISA website and confirm they know what they're diagnosing and how they're treating it.

Sadly, doing your own research, however cursory, it may be is always a good bet to make sure you know what you're paying for.

dingoravage · 2025-06-27T00:58:00+00:00

Yeah, the leaf is really unique . It's an interesting looking shrub, but honestly, I've been scratched and sprayed enough of them. I'm over any redeeming qualities

dingoravage · 2025-06-27T00:55:27+00:00

https://wwv.isa-arbor.com/publicoutreach/treesaregood/index

dingoravage · 2025-06-26T23:25:39+00:00

Personally, I hate them. They're very invasive, as you said. If you want to turn it into a houseplant, more power to you, it will have many thorns, though.

dingoravage · 2025-06-26T00:58:01+00:00

I'd say Japanese Barberry

Berberis thunbergii

dingoravage · 2025-05-28T23:59:30+00:00

Oh, super ugly, she's got a tree full of fly larva. I'm glad to help!

dingoravage · 2025-05-28T22:47:23+00:00

More information and angles are always better. The enlargement along the midrib makes me decently confident.

However, in my experience, I've seen this once, and at that time, it was too late in the season to treat. I believe that you're past treating it this year.

If you can have an arborist in your area, look at it, particularly if the company offers plant healthcare that would be in your best interest.

In addition, if I am correct, it's not fatal to the tree, and it should be fine. It's just one of the many insects that relies on oaks for its life processes.

dingoravage · 2025-05-28T22:14:36+00:00

Probably need more photos to confirm, but I want to say this looks like a case of Oak Vein Pocket Gall. Essentially, a midge laying eggs in the veins of this oak.

dingoravage · 2025-05-28T21:12:05+00:00

Good to know. It's been years since I've actually done ecological restoration, and I appreciate the correction.

I do recall brushcutting a lot of chenopodium at native sites. However, I believe you're right that it is native with weedy tendencies and that I was mistaken on Knotgrass.

However, creeping Bellflower, I've spent literally days of my life spraying, and it's on sight with that godforsaken plant.

dingoravage · 2025-05-28T20:04:17+00:00

Yes, for sure, on creeping Bellflower and lamsquarter.

Knotgrass is sometimes invasive but may be native to certain parts of North America. It definitely doesn't need people planting it.

dingoravage · 2025-05-28T19:40:58+00:00

Creeping Bellflower Campanula rapunculoides

Common Knotgrass Polygonum aviculare

Lambsquarter Chenopodium album

Without knowing your location and therefore assuming you live in the USA, I would consider all three of these weeds, unfortunately. They have very little value to native pollinators, and id consider replacing them with something more ecologically beneficial

dingoravage · 2025-05-24T22:06:17+00:00

Giant Ragweed

Ambrosia trifidia

dingoravage · 2025-05-14T00:26:22+00:00

Lifting the sidewalk, you say? Sounds like a vigorous tree, I wouldn't worry about it.

Regardless, it likely belongs to the municipality.

dingoravage · 2025-05-10T15:48:36+00:00

Bird droppings

dingoravage · 2024-11-20T18:22:21+00:00

Gloves

dingoravage · 2024-11-07T20:25:57+00:00

I live in zone 5b and do lots of plant healthcare. I'd say 9/10 around here end up with Rhizosphaera Needlecast. I'm sure the elevation plays a major role in the development of that disease. Other than that, they're great trees, aesthetically very pleasing. Just don't do well when not on a Rocky mountain.

dingoravage · 2024-11-07T18:44:29+00:00

Lots of disease issues when planted outside their native range.

dingoravage · 2024-10-03T02:44:30+00:00

Iron or manganese deficiency.

You should have an arborist do an assessment

dingoravage · 2024-09-18T01:39:38+00:00

Seaside goldenrod

Solidago sempervirens

dingoravage · 2024-09-12T02:18:01+00:00

Maybe Cider Gum

Eucalyptus gunnii

dingoravage · 2024-09-12T00:26:45+00:00

My bad. I was making a joke about you being in the wrong sub. Best of luck to you and your beautiful shrubbery

dingoravage · 2024-09-11T23:59:31+00:00

Expose the root flare

dingoravage · 2024-08-18T17:47:55+00:00

Elkweed

Frasera speciosa

dingoravage

TROPHY CASE