Certainly looks like raspberry mosaic although I suppose it could always be rust, it looks a bit too consistent.
1 Like
You know sometimes you get these cracks as the tree grows. It’s the expansion of the girth and since the bark is dead it cracks in a controlled manner due to rapid growth.
It’s very common but I would say it starts when a tree gets around 4” in caliper. If you look around you may see it elsewhere.
Typically, the crack is “full” so to speak. It has tissue in it or a web like network. Its not wanting to lose moisture or let pest or pathogens in. A frost crack will usually be clean and you might be able see the xylem and is damage.
Pears are fast growing. So there may be some irregular growth in that area.
It’s the first step in a tree having fissures, flaking and scaly bark.
Thats my two cents worth from what I can see from the picture.
5 Likes
Can someone help identify these? several of my apple trees have these. I had trouble finding them because when the leaf is disturbed they drop off.
This may be an older specimen or a completely different type, only found one of these.
As you may be able to see, in the first pic they are skeletonizing the leaves rather than eating it entirely.
Would BT kill them or would you use insecticide, or leave them unless they start to cause significant damage. I would prefer to not use insecticide but realize they are sometimes necessary.