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Pruning  Pears

Pruning is necessary to help your tree develop a good shape, live longer and produce an abundance of high quality tasty fruit.  

Pruning a pear tree is a late winter task - before the buds begin to swell.  A light trim in summer may be need to remove dead, damaged or diseased wood. 

Pears fruit best on two and three-year-old wood, so do not prune back side shoots shorter that about 60cm long.

A modified central leader is the best approach. Apart from removing any odd looking fruit or thinning a branch that is too heavy, little pruning is required - a light trim, summer and winter, to keep the tree open and stop branches rubbing against each other is all that is needed.

Translation of Terminology

Bud: - A swollen bump on a branch or stem from which leaves and flowers will develop. It will often show a hint of green when examined closely. Flower buds are usually more rounded than leaf buds. Leaf buds are usually more pointed and flattened than a flower bud.

Old Wood: - Branches or stems that have been part of the plant prior to the current season’s growth.

New Wood: - Stems that have developed during the current season’s growth period.

Leader: - The central upright branch that forms the main part of the framework of a tree. 

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Wairere Nursery
826 Gordonton Road, R D 1, Hamilton 3281 Ph: (07) 824 3430 Email: