Is my golden spice pear toast?

[andrew]

This is an 8 year old golden spice pear? Looks healthy above the trunk? What causes it to lose bark like this? Do you think it will survive?

 

[homerj]

Is the damage on the south or southwest side of the trunk?

 

[andrew]

Southwest

 

[homerj]

Southwest

Sunscald aka southwest disease.
White latex paint diluted 50/50 with water applied from the ground to at least 5' up the trunk will prevent it from happening. Whether your tree survives or not I don't know. I'd remove any loose bark and use a sharp knife to smooth the edges back to living cambium. That'll help the tree seal the wound off. Hope for the best from there on.

 

[andrew]

Is it a good idea to paint the trunks of all of my apple and pear trees?

 

[homerj]

Is it a good idea to paint the trunks of all of my apple and pear trees?

Yes