

It is important to clean tools with rubbing alcohol between cuts to prevent the spread of disease Water sprouts are rapid vertical growths and should be removed to encourage horizontal growthĬrossing branches can cause damage and should be pruned to promote healthy growth Suckers are shoots that grow from the base of the tree and should be removed as they can grow into competing leaders It varies depending on the tree, but generally no more than 25% of the tree should be pruned in one year Thinning cuts remove entire branches, heading cuts shorten branches To promote healthy growth and fruit production, to remove damaged or diseased wood, to shape the treeĬut at a 45 degree angle just beyond a bud or lateral branch Get ready to learn some expert tips on pruning your Bartlett pear tree like a pro! Characteristics In this guide, we’ll show you the essential steps to prune your Bartlett pear tree effectively, so it can grow strong and healthy and produce abundant fruit. Pruning a Bartlett pear tree is not difficult, but it requires some knowledge and skills to achieve the best results. One of the most important tasks is pruning, which helps to maintain the tree’s shape and health.


Start with those on the underside of branches as fruit there will struggle to ripen. If the fruit-producing spurs are too crowded, remove some.Take out any growth that is heading towards the tree’s centre as it will reduce light and air, resulting in poor fruit ripening and a greater risk of disease.The side shoots, known as laterals, should be left over winter unless they are crossing another branch, which can lead to rubbing and disease.Cut them back to a good, outward-facing bud, making a slanted cut down and away from the bud to prevent rain pooling on it. Next, reduce the length of main branches by about a third.First remove any weak, dead, dying or diseased wood.The aim is to allow light into the centre of your tree, and remove a little old wood each year in order to stimulate new growth. It’s always better to prune too little than too much. When pruning a standard pear tree, keep in mind the overall shape and err on the side of caution. Image: Pear 'Doyenné du Comice' from Thompson & Morgan Standard pear trees should be pruned in winter when they've dropped their leaves
