Pear Tree Pruning

[TonySoprano]

I have a Gilmer Christmas pear from the Wildlife group , that'll be in the ground 1 year this month.
It's in a tube and at about 5 foot it forms a crotch and branches off in 3 directions.
I alreadly pruned some lower branches in the tube.
I'm wondering if I should just leave it as it is , None of the angles look that great to cut it into a central leader.
Thanks for any info

 

[DJN]

No personal recommendations, but here is an earlier thread discussing the same question.

Thread 'Pear tree pruning advice'

Dec 30, 2023

I have a 8 foot tall Whitetail Crabs Rut Rage pear tree planted this spring (2023) . I plan on pruning it sometime in Jan/Feb . Will I be okay to cut the two branches off I have marked in blue and turn it into a central leader, or would that be too much stress ?. Thanks for any info

• White Oak
• Replies: 14
• Forum: Fruit Trees

 

[KY wild]

I would read the thread above and make your own decisions but I would strongly recommend not to be to aggressive pruning a pear. If you prune hard then tree will respond with lots and lots of wood and will be worst next year than this year. and that fight can go on forever and prevent any energy going to fruit. So be gentle

 

[Telemark]

Would be good to see the rest of the tree.

I would probably start by making some limb spreaders. Pears tend to grow upright, so pruning might not solve your issue. It might be better to just spread the branches out to make the tree wider and more open. If you decide to do this, wait til the bark is slipping in May or June.

 

[bigboreblr]

Remove the bad stuff, dont sweat poor crotch angles, but still pull the branches with strings or whatecer else.

Multiple leaders is a good thing. Especially in regards to potential fireblight loss.

Absolutely important is looking for fireblight and trimming maybe 6 inches past the line of death.

If cobsidering new trrees, i see alot of complaibts about frost on here. Choose a late bloomer.

You suspect disease problems, make sure you clean your pruners between trees and between cuts when removing disease

 

[TonySoprano]

Would be good to see the rest of the tree.

I would probably start by making some limb spreaders. Pears tend to grow upright, so pruning might not solve your issue. It might be better to just spread the branches out to make the tree wider and more open. If you decide to do this, wait til the bark is slipping in May or June.

Would be good to see the rest of the tree.

I would probably start by making some limb spreaders. Pears tend to grow upright, so pruning might not solve your issue. It might be better to just spread the branches out to make the tree wider and more open. If you decide to do this, wait til the bark is slipping in May or June.

 

[Telemark]

Cut off the two to the right.

Then rip off any subsequent growth below the cuts. Ripping off the growth will discourage the tree from throwing growth lower than the cuts.