I planted a Seckel pear about 4 or 5 years ago and so far it has done very well. This year it was simply loaded with fruit. A few days ago I noticed that the ends of many branches were withered and blackened. I've never seen fireblight before but it fits the descrption I've read.

I pruned off all the blackened branches -- about half the tree -- dipping the pruning shears and saw into a bleach solution between cuts. When I was done I sprayed the entire tree, leaf, fruit, branch, and trunk, with Safer insecticide, as per a website I found. Apparently the disease is carried by an insect. I'm wondering now if there is a next step, in case there are remnants of the disease not yet visible. Should I spray with copper fungicide? I don't know if fireblight is a fungus or a bacteria, but copper is effective with both.

Rosefolly