[lemma=exploration | tag=":"]? [□=□ | □]
[lemma=exploration | tag=":"]? [lemma=□ | □]
[lemma=exploration | tag=":"]? [tag=□ | □]
The fungus may also infect stub ends of stems from which flowers have been cut . Some home fruit growers construct chicken-wire cages around their fruit trees to keep deer from eating their trees in winter . These exclude voles ( “ meadow mice ” ) and rabbits , preventing them from feeding on the bark . Once the tree has rough and flaky mature bark , neither winter sun nor chewing animals can harm it , so tree guards will not be necessary . The paint will reflect the heat of the sun just as the white plastic tree guards do . Control weeds , such as dandelions and plantain , which may harbor the pathogen . Plastic tree guards are not a perfect solution , however . However , home growers who prefer not to spray fungicides may enjoy growing these varieties . Fortunately , pear rootstock options have improved for Minnesota fruit growers . Weeds such as dandelions , plantain , and thistle are also susceptible and can serve as a source of inoculum in home gardens . Reducing the deer population is a temporary solution at best , and an option not available to fruit growers except those in rural areas . Dandelions and plantain are also susceptible and can serve as sources of the disease in home gardens . If you use plastic tree guards , make sure they are pushed down into the soil to a depth of two inches . Like a plastic tree guard , it should be pushed into the soil to prevent entry of voles . This will keep voles from burrowing under them to get at the trees . Clip the clothespin onto the leader and position the flexible shoot between the other ends of the clothespin . Hosta growers report a brown rot at the base of the petioles of wilted leaves .