prune this pear?

Nebraskaz71

Nebraskaz71

Active Member
Planted this kieffer pear in the fall of 15. I got it cheap from lowes and it had been top cut about 45" up or so. It now has several leaders growing out sideways from the top cut. Should I prune it somehow or just leave it? I feel if I try to prune to a single leader ill end up hacking most of the tree and not a single stem is straight without a big bend on the bottom.

 
I'm no expert but without any expert guidance here's what I would do. I'd basically leave the thickest main trunk (comes off just above the tube on the right side and then turns up) and I would prune every other branch that is competing vertically with the other. I'd also start training all those small branches coming off of the main trunk to get good branch angles. Again, I'm really just a beginner as well. If you are worried that's too much to take off at once, at least snip the competing tips to keep them from continuing upward. My goal is also to have the lowest branches at 5 foot or higher.
 
Like Gator I'm no expert but if i we're pruning anything except the biggest central branch below 4-5 feet I would cut off entirely.
 
I'd keep that thickest main leader coming off right at the original pruning spot and get rid of everything else. May have to pull the tube because it looks like you have a sucker coming from down below in the tube (the one you have some cord tied to). That tree doesn't need that tube at this point. Just staple some metal window screening around the base of the tree about 18" high to keep rodents from girdling the tree. You're going to have to get down far enough to prune right at the base of the trunk so less chances of resprouting. I would be fine keeping that one branch on the left side of the pic that is just above the tube also. Just use some rope to pull it down a bit--tie it off to your cage.
 
I'm not pruning any of my pears. I got them to be low maintenance, and pruning is a lot of work! I think letting it be is a viable option.
 
dogdoc said:
I'd keep that thickest main leader coming off right at the original pruning spot and get rid of everything else. May have to pull the tube because it looks like you have a sucker coming from down below in the tube (the one you have some cord tied to). That tree doesn't need that tube at this point. Just staple some metal window screening around the base of the tree about 18" high to keep rodents from girdling the tree. You're going to have to get down far enough to prune right at the base of the trunk so less chances of resprouting. I would be fine keeping that one branch on the left side of the pic that is just above the tube also. Just use some rope to pull it down a bit--tie it off to your cage.
Click to expand...
Already planning on removing tube, it was just there for rodents but going to screen this year. Would u prune all but that main limb all at one time or gradually? Seems like a lot to cut off at once? Its actually not a sucker just a low branch but it will get pruned when the tube comes off for sure.
 
I personally would go ahead and do all the pruning now. Make the cuts as clean as possible and as close to the trunk as possible.
 
Nebraskaz71 said:
Already planning on removing tube, it was just there for rodents but going to screen this year. Would u prune all but that main limb all at one time or gradually? Seems like a lot to cut off at once? Its actually not a sucker just a low branch but it will get pruned when the tube comes off for sure.
Click to expand...
yep, I'd prune it all now. You won't hurt the tree. Get as much energy into that main leader. You have so much energy going other places now. The tree will appreciate the pruning.
 
Thanks everyone, That "main limb" did get a branch tore off it by deer this last spring that left a decent size deep wound on the tree, it is starting to heal over. Still keep just it then?
 
Nebraskaz71 said:
Thanks everyone, That "main limb" did get a branch tore off it by deer this last spring that left a decent size deep wound on the tree, it is starting to heal over. Still keep just it then?
Click to expand...

If its healing over well, I wouldn't touch it. If not, you should take the same steps I mentioned in removing the limbs - the cleaner (smoother) the better.
 
Can you tie down those two remaining branches that are reaching up for sunlight?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
7 million suckers are going to pop up soon and head straight up. You've opened Pandora's box...;)
 
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