How to Prune a Pear Tree

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Pruning your pear tree every year helps to promote its growth and ability to bear fruit in addition to protecting it from infections. You will want to prune in the winter and get rid of your tree’s oldest branches. Thin your tree out into a pleasing, effective shape to keep your tree happy and healthy.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Removing Old Branches

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  1. Dead, damaged or diseased wood should be removed starting with the origin of the damage. This may mean cutting an entire large area if it is all damaged or dead. You will know if an area is damaged or dead if it does not have leaves during growing season when the rest of the tree is in bloom. [1]
    • Removing dead or damaged branches is one of the few times it’s okay to prune your tree in the spring or summer.
  2. If you have sprouts growing down near the bottom of the tree out of the main trunk, these are called “suckers” and are actually part of the root system, not the fruiting system on top. They don’t have any purpose on your pear tree. [2]
    • Prune these spouts off right at their origin up against the trunk.
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  3. If you see any suspiciously straight, vertical sprouts growing from a branch of your tree, that’s a "water sprout." They look different from other branches because they occur on main branches, have no curve, are somewhat short, and grow straight up toward the sky. [3]
    • Water sprouts have no purpose on your tree and should be cut at their point of origin on the main branch they’re growing out of.
  4. Fruiting spurs grow on branches that were originally grown two years previously, so you don’t need to worry about them on very young trees. They look like smaller curved branches growing off a main branch, with little bud-like shapes, or fruit buds, at the tip. [4]
    • Fruiting spurs usually take 1 or 2 years to grow fruit. The year after fruiting, another 1 or 2 fruit buds will appear in that spot.
    • After 6 or 7 years, the spur will become congested with fruit buds and then you can prune them to allow new fruiting spurs to grow elsewhere. The only other reason to cut them is if the branch is dead or damaged.
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Part 2
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Making Cuts on Your Tree

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  1. Pruning your pear tree during its dormant season before it actively begins regrowth in the spring is best because the tree will put more energy into growing where it was pruned. Pruning during this time when the leaves are off the tree also allows for you to better see what you’re doing. [5]
    • You should also choose a dry day to prune your pear tree. If it’s raining or snowing when you cut your tree, there’s a higher risk of infection getting into the wet cuts.
  2. If your shears or saw are old and you’re not sure if they are sharp, you can either sharpen them yourself or take them to your local hardware store to have them sharpened for a small fee To clean your shears or saw yourself, dip the blades in isopropyl alcohol for 30 seconds to disinfect them, then wipe them dry with a clean towel. [6]
  3. Cuts that are slightly slanted will help deter water from soaking into the cut and having your branch get infected. You want to also want to make cuts right against the larger branch that the branch you're removing is growing from. [7]
    • Avoid leaving little stubs when you make cuts. Make a clean, slanted cut right up against the larger branch.
  4. If your tree is healthy, aim to remove 10-20% of the overall canopy of your tree in one year. This will mean more for older trees, and not much at all for younger trees. If you prune too hard, your tree may produce the vigorous upright branches called water sprouts which will start to crowd your tree. [8]
    • If your pruning pile starts looking a little big, or more than 10-20% of your tree, it’s time to stop immediately. Wait until next year to prune more.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Shaping Your Tree

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  1. Overall, you want your pear tree to be shaped like a wine glass, with the trunk as the glass stem and the branches in an even, outwardly splayed growth. Allow for about 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) of air space between healthy branches to allow for good air circulation and to reduce the risk of fungal infections. [9]
    • Occasionally step back from your tree and look at the overall shape as you’re pruning, to ensure that you’re getting the right shape and clearing away crowded areas effectively.
  2. You want your pear tree branches to grow outward and slightly upward. If you have branches that are growing downward, prune these at their point of origin at the bigger branch. [10]
    • Your overall goal is to have a tree with evenly spaced branches that splay out in a pleasing visual pattern from the center.
  3. Branches that grow against the main flow of outward, upward branches will crowd your other branches and cause an overall chaotic look in your tree. Prune these branches at their point of origin where they meet a bigger branch. [11]
  4. If you find two or more branches growing from a single space at a narrow angle, or from different points in a parallel fashion and they hover toward each other, choose the healthiest appearing branch to keep and prune the rest. [12]
    • The branch you keep should also have the best angle at its origin, which is around a 2 o’clock or 10 o’clock angle from the center of the tree. Branches with wider angles can break easily when they bear fruit.
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  • Question
    What month do you prune pear trees?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    It’s best to prune a pear tree in late winter, shortly before it begins budding. Aim to prune your tree in late February or early March.
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  • Question
    Do pear trees need to be pruned?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Pruning isn’t strictly necessary, but it can help your tree produce stronger fruit-bearing branches, which will optimize your pear harvest. Pruning also helps control the size and shape of your tree.
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    Can a pear tree be topped?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    You can top a young pear tree if absolutely necessary (e.g., if it’s gotten too tall for its space), but it’s not great for the tree. Topping a mature pear tree can be very damaging, and it won’t encourage the tree to produce more fruit. If your pear tree is too tall, do a light crown-reduction pruning while the tree is dormant instead of lopping the whole top off.
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      Warnings

      • Follow all safety precautions and instructions when operating a pruning saw. Be sure to wear safety equipment, including eye protection, boots, long pants, and long sleeves.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Sharp and clean pruning shears or saw
      • Ladder

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      References

      1. ↑ https://modernfarmer.com/2015/02/right-cut/
      2. ↑ https://modernfarmer.com/2015/02/right-cut/
      3. ↑ https://modernfarmer.com/2015/02/right-cut/
      4. ↑ https://www.gardenfocused.co.uk/fruitarticles/pears/prune.php
      5. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=858
      6. ↑ https://modernfarmer.com/2015/02/right-cut/
      7. ↑ https://modernfarmer.com/2015/02/right-cut/
      8. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=858
      9. ↑ https://www.gardenfocused.co.uk/fruitarticles/pears/prune.php
      1. ↑ https://modernfarmer.com/2015/02/right-cut/
      2. ↑ https://modernfarmer.com/2015/02/right-cut/
      3. ↑ https://modernfarmer.com/2015/02/right-cut/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To prune a pear tree, wait until a dry winter day since pruning during the dormant season will encourage new growth during the spring. When you're ready to get started, use sharp shears or a pruning saw to remove branches that grow downward or in toward the center of the tree. You should also thin out any branches that are competing for space, aiming for a wine-glass shape with evenly-spaced branches. For more tips from our Horticulture co-author, like how to prune off old branches on a pear tree, read on!

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