In article et,
says...

We planted some young apple and pear trees during the winter which
until recently were doing very well. However recently the leaves have
been showing signs of problems.

http://www.korenwolf.net/Garden/20040714/

Has anyone got any ideas?

http://www.korenwolf.net/Garden/2004..._3877.JPG.html

They prefer to grow with the roots in flatter ground. Sideways in a
cliff is probably a bit steep for them.

Sorry.

If it wasn't for the chunks taken out of them, I'd jump for leaf scorch,
a poash deficiency. Not canker and it doesn't really look a lot like
scab either since that tends to be a much darker infection. I don't
think it is spider mite. At best guess, it could be chlorotic leaf spot.

Since the pears and apples are both affected, leaf spot and scab are the
likely contenders. To give them the best chance I'd feed them and tend
to the chemical blitz a little. Dusting with Derris should take care of
the insect vector although a couple of treatments may be needed. One of
the many fungicides may take care of that vector too.

If it is a viral infection (as it appears to be), remove all the
infected leaf growth and burn it. You'll not be expecting any fruit this
year, but if any has set, remove it to give the trees more energy to
recover and fight off the infection. Next spring spray with a fungicide
and things should pick up.

In the first couple of years stock with a smaller root sytem is less
able o fight off these infections and should recover with a little help.

Warwick - denying spending any time researching some extra stuff because
he knows the poster of the question