Pruning Mature Pear Trees

[jonewer]

Thats a semidwarf?!!!!

[rayzeish]

Great informative video,thanks,Newhaven U.K.

[MrJthebassman]

Cool video. You, stephenhayesuk, jmcext (umass fruit advisor) really know how to produce interesting fruit videos. Do you consider root pruning to prevent re-growth?

[014brannyboo]

can you prune a pear tree in the fall while there is fruit on it??

[makethatall]

Well put together Clip

[tmc200527]

Hi, I have a semi dwarf pear that I pruned last year and got alot of those whip type branches going straight up. Do you just cut off all of those? Or do you keep some if they are going in the right direction. Also what branches grow fruit, last years growth or does it matter?

Thanks

[GLHeilig]

@tmc200527 The upright growth are called watersprouts. This is a normal response after pruning. Remove anything that interferes with other branches. For example if they cross branches you want to keep or they should be removed to open up the tree so that air can circulate better.

[DRam1981]

Thanks for the incredibly informative video! I've always been squeamish when it comes to aggressive pruning, and this video is by far the best at showing just how far I can go on my too-tall trees. Will you please consider posting a follow up from the next season?

[lapequesalsera]

Hello, awesome video!!! I am in central Indiana, and I have a pear tree that gave some massive amount of pears last year, the tree is super tall and I know for a fact that it has not been prunned in at least 5 years, its about a 15 yr old tree, at least 30 ft tall...even one of the branches fell off of the tree last year because it was so heavy with the fruit, I want to cut this at least in half for this year, but I thougt I needed to do it in the early spring????

[GLHeilig]

@lapequesalsera Anytime during the winter months is ok on pear.

[79Testo]

Nice work bro...Pears need that kind of pruning they grow too big. You must take out huge wood.  I would dormant prune(winter) it for better protection against fireblight.

[GLHeilig]

@79Testo Thank you for your comment.

[79Testo]

What kind of rootstock is this tree on?

[GLHeilig]

@79Testo Most likely it is on a bartlett rootstock. It is a stand size tree.

[fshdins]

Thank you so much, I have just inherited a tree, much like the one in the video. How old is the one you demo'd on. Also there are little round holes in a partial circle around the trunk area. What are these and when can i prune and clean this tree up? I could send photo's if possible of the tree and holes. Again thanks, Topeka KS.

[GLHeilig]

@fshdins The tree is 15-20 years old. The holes are probably wood boring beetles.

There are many species that attack trees when they are stressed. I don't know of any that will cause series damage to pear.

Also you may want to contact your local University Cooperative Extension office if you have specific questions. They should have people that can answer gardening questions. Google your county name and Coop Extension.

[renagade12]

@GLHeilig

can you throw a hat through it :)

[GLHeilig]

@fshdins 

[fshdins]

what about pruining oil or covering cuts?

[GLHeilig]

@fshdins

They are not necessary for pear trees. If sprayed immediately after the cuts are made it may help prevent fireblight bacteria from entering a pruning wound, but since the bacteria can also enter via stomates (pores) on the leaves or any other opening on the plant, I don't see the advantage of using it.

[GLHeilig]

@GLHeilig