It is essential that sunlight and airflow easily to the center of the tree for it to be healthy and most productive.Following last week’s missive about pruning fruiting shrubs, I now move on to pruning my fruiting trees. Strive to keep the tree’s limbs and framework evenly spaced. These cuts will help to thin out whip-like tall shoots that are almost ever-present near the center of a pear tree. Cut back substantial whip growth by about two-thirds their length.If two branches are growing parallel to each other, one over the other, keep the one that is best placed and remove the other.If two branches cross or rub against one another, remove the weaker of the two.If two branches are growing in opposite directions, keep the branch that is best placed.Prune away the weaker of two branches growing from the same spot.Remove any broken, diseased, or dead wood from the tree.Here are simple pruning cuts that you must perform from the tree’s first summer forward. Cut back unbranched shoots to about 18 inches. Pear trees can be thinned during the growing season when growth is overly lush and crowded. Do not allow the top of the tree to grow too much upward instead, direct the tree’s energy into the fruit-bearing spurs developing on older wood. This is especially true when the tree is young. Pear trees have a general habit of sending up many vertical whip-like branches. It is not necessary to trim back side shoots. During the dormant season, head or trim back main framework branches by one-third to a half of their length. Early on encourage spreading branches and outward growth in your pruning choices. Young pear trees tend to have upright–not spreading–growth. Training a young pear tree is discussed in this article Young Fruit Tree Training and Pruning. This training begins soon after the tree is planted and will take about three or four years. Fruiting spurs should be preserved when pear trees are pruned.įor a backyard pear tree, you can choose to train the tree to a central leader, a modified leader, or an open center. There are several varieties of pear trees and habits of growth differ widely.Īll pear trees produce fruit from spurs on wood two- and three-years-old. Pear trees are best pruned in winter when they are dormant.

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