New Fact Sheet 2/25/2015 - Home Orchard Production - Apple, Pear, and Stone Fruit Disease Management - Nancy F. Gregory
Growing fruit in a backyard or home orchard can be rewarding or can be very frustrating, depending on disease and insect pests that may be present. While it is tempting to plant fruit trees and not apply chemical control measures, it is often impractical, and the resulting fruit crop may be disappointing or not result in any harvestable fruit. Various diseases affect fruit, and some are caused by fungi while some are caused by bacteria and viruses, so accurate examination and diagnosis is important. Disease development is dependent on the host, pathogen, and a suitable environment (mainly temperature and moisture). Controls may include preventative (protectant) fungicides, but availability and labels may vary for different states, and label directions must always be followed.
Images: Fire Blight on Pear and Peach Leaf Curl
The most common tree fruits grown in home orchards are apples, pears (European and 
Asian), and stone fruits (peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, pluots, and cherries). Apple trees are commonly affected by fire blight, apple scab, fruit rots, rusts, and powdery mildew. Fire blight is a common problem in pears. Stone fruits are affected by peach leaf curl, bacterial spot, brown rot, scab, and leaf spot.
Read the rest of the fact sheet, including recommendations at the following web site: http://extension.udel.edu/factsheet/home-orchard-production-apple-pear-and-stone-fruit-disease-management/
