Pear tree owners know they need to occasionally prune their trees to get the most fruit. This pruning will also help the trees grow larger and stronger over time, increasing their general health and vitality. However, what exactly should you be pruning off of your pear trees? There are several different things you should be aware of and focus on during your tree pruning sessions.
1. Prune Out Diseased and Split Branches.
If the branches of your pear tree are diseased or have been split or broken off by strong winds, you should remove these right away. Otherwise, they could spread the problem to other areas of the tree, making it very difficult to keep your tree healthy and strong in the long run.
2. Thin Out Fruit Branches.
If you want to keep your pear trees producing a large and healthy crop every year, you need to thin out the growing fruit branches. This will allow you to get the highest yield possible from your tree because its resources will be focused on the orchard’s healthiest and strongest branches.
3. Prune Away Dead Wood and Branches That Cross Over Each Other.
The opposite of thinning fruit branches is pruning away dead wood and crossing branches. The more dead and crossing branches in your pear tree, the harder it will be to produce a healthy crop yearly.
4. Prune Away Unwanted Branches.
You should also keep an eye out for unwanted branches sprouting up around the base of your tree, just above the ground. These branches can be pruned off as soon as they sprout up to prevent them from spreading into other areas of the tree.
5. Prune Out Old Canes.
If you have an older pear tree with a lot of old canes that aren’t producing any fruit, you should remove them to ensure they don’t spread disease or dead wood. It is also important to remove old canes so the tree can get the nutrients it needs to grow new and larger branches.
6. Prune Away Diseased or Damaged Branches During the Beginning of Winter.
If you prune your branches around three to four months before most of them develop the disease, you will cut off any leaves that are infected with the disease and prevent it from spreading the problem to other areas of the tree. You can focus on your healthy branches and get the best fruit harvest possible.
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