How can I tame this pear?

[Shufigo]

I a 6 year old native 'deer pear' from Nativ Nursuries. I'm not sure what I did wrong in last spring's pruning but it's going out of control. I've got a ton of pure vertical growth that I understand should be removed. However, I've also read that you shouldn't remove more than 1/3 of the branches at one time. Which would apply here? All suggestions are welcome.

 

[cutman]

I gave up on pruning pears. Just let it go and save yourself the headache.

 

[Native Hunter]

It would really help to see a picture.

Pear trees have a tendency to grow upright, and I've never had a problem letting them do just that. I will do a little shaping and thinning on a pear, but the purpose of that is not to make it spread out like an apple tree. It's actually better for them (IMHO) to be more vertical when they get a heavy pear load. It can help keep the limbs from breaking.

Notice how vertical the limbs are on the pear tree in the picture below. It seems to be doing just fine.

 

[buckdeer1]

I agree I think thats just the way pears grow,hey cat I ordered some trees from coldstream if you find something you can add to my order

 

[catscratch]

I agree I think thats just the way pears grow,hey cat I ordered some trees from coldstream if you find something you can add to my order

Coldstream? I don't think I've ever heard of them. What did you order and how much room is left in the shopping box? And thanks!

 

[Gator]

It would really help to see a picture.

Pear trees have a tendency to grow upright, and I've never had a problem letting them do just that. I will do a little shaping and thinning on a pear, but the purpose of that is not to make it spread out like an apple tree. It's actually better for them (IMHO) to be more vertical when they get a heavy pear load. It can help keep the limbs from breaking.

Notice how vertical the limbs are on the pear tree in the picture below. It seems to be doing just fine.

Do you find that only to be true if the crotch angle of the limb is good? I sold before I really found out but I put time into getting good crotch angles using clothes pins on very young branches.

 

[Native Hunter]

Do you find that only to be true if the crotch angle of the limb is good? I sold before I really found out but I put time into getting good crotch angles using clothes pins on very young branches.

I’ve used clothes pins on apples but not pears. However, when I prune I do cut off the most vertical limb and leave the outgoing one.

 

[catscratch]

I’ve used clothes pins on apples but not pears. However, when I prune I do cut off the most vertical limb and leave the outgoing one.

I've used clothespins and wts on pears. If I remember I'll take a pic of the results and post it tomorrow.

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[Native Hunter]

I've used clothespins and wts on pears. If I remember I'll take a pic of the results and post it tomorrow.

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Sounds good. Looking forward to seeing the pics.

 

[catscratch]

A couple of my examples of training pear. They will gladly go where you want them until you let go... then straight up they go.

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[Nebraskaz71]

I cut the entire top off mine two years ago cause it had so many centers, grew back even worse and now has blight or something so i'll probably hack it all off again or dig it up all together. Generally if its healthy though a pear can take a ton of pruning and still end up looking like that.

 

[wbpdeer]

Is December a good month in Zone 7 to prune a pear? Would Jan or Feb be better for pruning a pear tree?

Got twelve pear trees that are in their 3rd year in the ground. Sprayed them one year. They are growing good.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Native Hunter]

Is December a good month in Zone 7 to prune a pear? Would Jan or Feb be better for pruning a pear tree?

Got twelve pear trees that are in their 3rd year in the ground. Sprayed them one year. They are growing good.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks

Wayne, my thoughts are that right now would be fine for pruning. Waiting until Jan or Feb wouldn't be any better.

Merry Christmas!

 

[wbpdeer]

Merry Christmas to you Native Hunter.

My son did a land deal on a bunch of city building lots - all surveyed and approved. He got two building lots out of the deal and a D5 Dozier. Today was the first time I have ever operated a dozier. Got my introductory lesson. Will work on a food plot this week when the temps get in the 40s.

Got some pear trees that need to be pruned. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Southern Indiana]

Stopped pruning Pears years ago. Seemed they would sprout out 4 times as much when pruned.

Old timer told me years ago. Any month with an “R” in it prune away.


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[Shufigo]

Thanks to all. Got the info....
Shuf.

 

[TheOldOak]

I have a 10 year old kieffer pear tree in the back yard. It grew pretty much straight up and I never did much pruning, other than cut a few branches that were pointed into the middle of the tree. It produced a few pears starting about year 6. This year it produced I would estimate 10, five-gallon buckets of big pears. The branches hung so heavy that most are no longer straight up, but bent at around 60 degree angles throughout the tree. Seems like the pear new what it was doing, as the shape is about perfect now. Based on this, i would keep the pruning to a minimum.

 

[buckvelvet]

I agree with @Native Hunter , pears prefer vertical, you shape them a bit with using weights or branch tie downs until they harden off for the winter to get some space between. Otherwise you just let them go to the sky and do a quick touch up in the off season.