It is helpful to prune a pear tree so it will bear fruit and promote its growth. When you have an overgrown pear tree, there is an increased need to prune the tree and remove the old branches to keep it looking healthy and in great shape.
When you prune an overgrown tree, it is also a way to renovate it.
The overgrown pear tree is good for structure and can be a focal point in the garden or your backyard.
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Inspect The Pear Tree and Check Where to Start
Overgrown pear trees will have a crowded framework, and there is almost no spacing because of the fast growth of leaves and branches. There is also no air or light that passes through to spread on all the branches.
You can start by pruning at the main stem or trunk. The outer part with many growing branches can also be your target.
You can make a cut outside the collar. It is where the branch joins the trunk or its main stem.
Examine Dead and Broken Branches
All dead and diseased leaves and branches must be removed. Any branches that obstruct the sunlight need pruning as well. Remove overlong and unfruitful growth as well as any branches, and leaves that have wilted or are decaying.
Pruning side shoots on the main branch is also required. We must trim any branches that cross or rub against each other.
If the tree is too tall, you need not remove or cut it down to the size you want in one go. You can manage this safely by reducing the tree height in over three years. This will ensure that you are not cutting the pear tree drastically.
How much to remove? A 25 to 30 percent pruning would suffice instead of removing too much in one go. When you remove over a quarter of the canopy, there is a possibility of another vigorous regrowth, and you will be back to pruning the excessive thickening.
What to Remember When Pruning Overgrown Pear Trees?
Ensure that you have the right equipment – if you need to do it yourself, make sure you have the right trimming and cutting tools. You must also have ladders to use for too far off branches, so you have it ready if there is any need.
Remove the 3D’s first – Dead, diseased, and damaged limbs and branches. This way you are clearing the pear tree of unwanted parts.
Help the sunlight get through – Because of the overgrowth of leaves and branches, the tree has many unwanted parts, limbs, leaves, branches that stop the sunlight from getting through. You are helping the tree receive sunlight by further thinning the overgrowth.
Do not reduce the height instantly – If the tree is too tall and must be reduced, do this by cutting one-third of the height every year in three years. You can reduce it during April cause it is safe from disease and there is less rainfall.
You can make another reduction after summer. If you lessen during summer, it may cause sunburn and can even attract pests.
Removal of major branches – It is ideal to cut main branches while leaving one branch untouched. The trimming of major branches leaves the tree to re-sprout at the lower branches.
Shaping – After pruning, trimming, and removing unnecessary leaves, branches, and leaves and cutting the tree to the almost desired size, you may now focus on shaping the tree.
Some pear tree owners shape their trees like a wine-glass with just the right number of branches splayed forward in a beautiful glass shape. You are required to allow good air circulation, and it can be done by leaving a few centimeters between healthy branches.
This will also lessen the chance of branches rubbing against each other and may cause fungal infections.
Checking your artwork and seeing the overall form while you are pruning is the key to ensure that you are getting the shape you wanted.
You can also view if there are any other crowded areas that need further clearing.
Remove Any Parts That Are Out of Place
Since you are going for the wine-glass shape pear tree, you may need to remove downward growth and leave those with upward growth. Prune any branches that are out of place, and what is left should be pleasing to the eyes.
Any Branches With Growth Towards The Center of The Tree Must Be Removed
The goal is to have branches that grow outward instead of inward, so the correct flow of the shape is followed. Branches growing toward the tree’s center may create a chaotic growth if left untrimmed.
Removal of competing branches – This should be cut out in the same way cause the growth from a single space will make the branches have an awkward growth, and may also look out of place and will veer away from the shape you are after.
Rescue an old tree as much as you can – There are pear trees that may have been left and neglected for years, hence the overgrowth. You can still bring it back to its old glory and rejuvenate it. There are still a couple of years to enjoy its beauty.
Pear trees only need a few trimming and cutting to remove dead branches and damaged limbs, and if you give it time and patience, it can look impressive after some work.
Trimming and cutting overgrown pear trees takes a lot of patience and hard labor. You need to know where to start and what you are aiming for. Your pear tree can give you years of service if you take care of it as they require.
If you don’t have the skills about the care of pear trees, there are also plant specialists that can assist you with its growth. There are so many advantages you can have by planting a pear tree, and it will just take you a few minutes of your time to ensure that it is growing the right way and will bear fruit after.
