How to Prune Pear Trees in Oregon

Pruning pear trees in Oregon.

Introduced to Oregon in the 1800s by pioneers, the pear tree is one of the world’s oldest fruit trees, dating back to 5,000 B.C. Found in the shadows of the Oregon mountains, more than 1,600 pear orchards exist in Oregon and Washington. Oregon is the third highest producer of pears in the United States, producing 582,000 tons of pears per year. Over 25 percent of the pear crop is canned, while 35 percent is exported all over the world. Pear trees should be pruned late winter in Oregon because of winter temperatures and frost damage.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears
• Ladder
• Loppers
• Pruning saw
• Rubbing alcohol

Instructions

1. Use rubbing alcohol to sterilize your pruning shears, loppers and saws before and after using. Be sure the alcohol is dry before pruning.

2. Remove all dead, damaged and diseased limbs and branches. Use pruning shears for small branches and twigs. Loppers are used for branches too big for pruning shears. Saw large limbs from the tree. Prune dead, diseased and damaged branches and suckers any time of the year, but add wound dressing on any pruning done during the growing season.

3. Train your pear tree to have three to four main branches. Ensure that the tree is balanced on all sides, to spread the weight throughout the tree and root system.

4. Prune the top of the fruit tree heavier than the bottom. Cut the top of the tree to reduce the height and so upper branches do not shade lower branches. Entire limbs can be removed from the top of the tree; make cuts that are flush with the bark on the lower limb of the pear tree.

5. Cut back horizontal branches to reduce sucker production. Remove half of all slow-growing spurs, so they will be replaced with new shoots or be reinvigorated and grow stronger. Cut the shoots and branches to just beyond a branch or a bud.

6. Thin branches more as you get closer to the end of the branch. This will produce heavier, higher-quality fruit. Thinning cuts should be made all the way back to the branch.

7. Remove long center and top shoots. Retain short shoots and spurs. If you prune at the appropriate time, during late winter, you will not need to use wood dressing and the tree will heal before its growing season.

Tips & Warnings

• Prune your pear trees while they are young to prevent them from becoming too tall. This way you can easily harvest the fruit and encourage heavier fruit production. If you have a very large, mature tree, consider hiring a professional to prune your trees. If you prune them from the time they are small, you should have no problems doing annual pruning yourself. Abundant fruit-producing trees will not resemble shade trees.

• If you live in Portland, Oregon, you must purchase a permit to prune any vegetation, including pear trees, that are growing along streets, parks, streams, natural areas, yards and neighborhoods. The Parks and Recreation department will assist in locating and issuing permits to prune your trees. Do not overprune your pear tree, because it will grow vigorous suckers that will have to be removed. Pears are also susceptible to fire blight, so keep your pruning materials sterile. Do not mulch diseased branches, dispose of them by fire or through your community yard waste disposal service.

References

• USA Pears: History of Pears
• Oregon State University Extension Service: OSU Offers Guide to Pruning and Training Fruit Trees
• Oregon State University: Training and Pruning Your Home Orchard
• The Modern Gardener: Pruning a Mature Apple or Pear Tree

Resources

• Portland Parks & Recreation: Urban Forest
• Oklahoma State University: Tulsa Master Gardeners-Pruining Fruit Trees and Small Fruit
• Orchard's Edge: Pruning Questions and Answers
• Oregon Tree Care: Equation for Tree Disaster