How to Prune Pear Trees

In this article you will find out how to prune pear trees.
Pruning pear trees can be done several ways.

The pruning of pear trees, in the early stages, follows the same
pattern as that for apples. Basically, the treatment of
established bushes, in a garden, is also the same for pears and
apples. There are, however, a few points to which attention
should be drawn.

How to prune pear trees - General

Pears, generally, will stand harder pruning than apples without
being forced into excessive wood growth. Bush trees should be
encouraged to form a sturdy framework of branches by moderately
hard pruning during the early years. Three or 4 suitably placed
branches are pruned to produce 6 or 8 further branches from 2
well-positioned buds, this process can be repeated in the
following year. Once the basic framework of the tree has been
established, pruning should be lighter until the tree begins to
bear.

As pears generally tend to spur up more freely than apples, once
the trees have started cropping it will be necessary to thin out
the spur systems frequently, to encourage new wood growth.

How to prune pear trees - Older trees

On older trees which have been spur-pruned rather too thoroughly,
it will be of benefit to reduce drastically the amount of
fruiting wood, and cutting back branches to produce new growth is
advisable. Renewal pruning, as for apples, is practiced, bearing
in mind that more wood may be removed, without producing
excessive new growth.

How to prune pear trees - Varieties

Varietal Habit is a factor to consider, for certain pears have a
much more erect habit of growth than apples. This is particularly
noticeable in Doyenne du Cornice, Fertility and Conference, when
hard pruned. When pruning branch leaders to a bud for extension
growth, it is better to prune to a bud above the outward-pointing
one required. This outward-pointing bud will then grow out at a
wider angle, the unwanted portion being removed later.

Other varieties, such as Catillac and Beurre d'Amanlis, also
Conference when lightly pruned, have a spreading tendency, and it
may be better to prune to an upward bud, or even to a bud above
the upward one required, removing the unwanted portion later, as
before.

About the Author

Paul Curran is CEO of Cuzcom Internet Publishing Group and
webmaster at Trees-and-Bushes.com, providing access to their
nursery supplier for a range of quality plants, trees, bushes,
shrubs, seeds and garden products.Visit
their fruit trees section to find a great selection of pear trees
for your garden