How to Prune Pear Trees in the U.K.
- 1
Dead branches should be removed.branches image by Pavel Vlasov from Fotolia.com
Wait until your pear tree is dormant before you start to prune it. Cut off any branches that are dead, dying or diseased, using the pruning saw for larger branches. - 2). Remove any branches that are crossing over each other and any that are growing toward the center of the pear tree. Pruning these will allow sunlight to reach the tree's inner branches, stimulating more flower and fruit production.
- 3). Cut back the new growth at the end of each branch by approximately two-thirds, provided the pear tree has reached its desired height. If, however, you want it to grow even taller, leave the new growth alone and cut back lateral branches, leaving around six buds in place.
- 1
Pear trees fruit after around three years.pear tree image by samantha grandy from Fotolia.com
Shorten sideshoots to three leaves beyond their initial leaf cluster, developing the shape around the pear tree's main stem. This should be done over the first three years, until the tree begins to fruit. - 2). Cut back any shoots that grow from these pruned sideshoots to just one leaf.
- 3). Shorten new growth of the main tree stem to two buds, after it has reached the desired height.
- 4). Cut the spurs out every winter to stop overcrowding. The more open a conformation your pear tree has, the easier it can withstand fungus and other diseases.
- 1
Diseased wood should be removed.varnished wood image by iChip from Fotolia.com
Remove all dead or diseased wood. - 2). Remove a few main branches of the pear tree to allow more sunlight in.
- 3). Shorten other branches and thin overcrowded spurs to encourage new productive shoots.
- 4
A pear tree can be revived throughout a few seasons.Our Old Pear Tree image by T^i^ from Fotolia.com
Repeat the process over a few seasons to revive pear trees that are old and neglected.
