Why did my Asian pear trees die?

Question

The previous home owner planted two small asian pear trees two years ago. I removed the protective fence last year because they were over six feet tall. They bloomed last spring but this year they are without leaves except for the very bottom branches. The rest of the trees look dead. What happened and what should i do now?

Answer 1

If the live branches is above soil level that mean the tree is still alive, prune off the dead branches and water it. If the branches with leaves are from soil level then they are shoots from the root stock which is not the pear tree you want , so chop off the whole tree and plant a new one.

Answer 2

It could be that these trees are not suited to the area, although they seem to have survived a period of time they could have just been feeding on the root ball and their remaining residue. I just wonder why the previous owner felt the need to plant two trees at a time when they were leaving. You may be thinking that the trees are big enogh to fend for themselves and do not need watering, well maybe they do need a helping hand still  Are you in a "clay" area?