How to Prune Bradford Pear Trees

A Bradford pear

Bradford pears are widely grown for their showy, white spring blossoms. The best time to prune Bradford pear trees is in the winter or early spring, before you see those snowy blooms. If you wait to prune until the leaves emerge, it will become more difficult to see what branches need to be pruned. If you do not prune the tree, it can cause splintering in healthy parts of the branch.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears
• Pruning saw

1. Prune away any branches of your Bradford pear that appear dead or diseased. Prune away this wood with your pruning shears.

2. Determine which trunk in the middle is stronger. Cut any other contenders to half the length of that leader trunk with a pruning saw to create a strong central leader.

3. Look at the central trunk and determine if any two branches growing from it are growing 15 inches or closer together. Cut the weaker of the two branches.

4. Cut away any small branches that rub against a larger branch with either tool, depending on the diameter of the branch that needs to be removed.

5. Remove any water sprouts growing straight up near the base of the tree or on the branches.

Tips & Warnings

• Leave only branches that appear strong and grow at a 45-degree angle.

• If you leave your tree unpruned, it could split and fall over after 10 to 15 years.

References

• Louisiana State University Ag Center Pruning Bradford Pear Trees
• Ohio State University Extension: Pruning Mature Apples and Pears