![]() ![]() Heading cut on one year old wood (tira savia). Pruning that is too aggressive can result in excess tree vigor the following year. Remove one to two large branches per tree per year. It is critical for an ongoing renewal process. “We need at least 30% of the ambient light in order to induce flower bud formation.” Removing large branches over time helps ensure that sufficient light to produce buds and fruit reaches a larger portion of the canopy. Trees with many smaller branches can bear as much fruit as trees with few large branches without creating as much shade while increasing vigor. ![]() “Instead of few large branches, I would prefer to have smaller branches,” Musacchi explained. ![]() Large branches create shade in the canopy. Removing large branches Removing one large branch per year is important for tree renewal. Use stub cuts where you want to encourage a new branch for renewal. Clean cuts (generally recommended for quick healing) do not encourage new branching. You want to develop a rotational strategy to produce new wood, develop 1-year-old wood and produce fruit on 2-year-old wood.” Young pear tree pruned with three balanced axis. Look for cuts which will also promote new growth next year which will have productive wood three years from now. Two-year-old wood will be productive this year. One year old wood will be productive next year. After the tree is defined you will work in a three year cycle of pruning in order to maintain small productive wood in the tree. ![]() You have to look ahead to cultivate additional leaders with correct placement. Here we are using 3 axis to reduce vigor. Generally, higher density young pears would be pruned as a spindle or a bi-axis. “The secret to pruning is to find balance,” Musacchi explains. Create the tree architecture and promote renewal Here are a few of the concepts for pruning young pear orchards Musacchi shared. The goal of these demonstrations is to cover pear pruning for higher density orchards, of which many techniques can be used in larger trees as well. Stefano Musacchi, professor of horticulture at Washington State University and Bob Gix, horticulturist at Blue Star Orchard shared pear pruning tips at this winter’s pruning demonstration in Tonasket, WA. Stefano Musacchi, WSU Horticulture Summary by Tianna DuPont, WSU Tree Fruit Extension.ĭr. View Print Version Pear pruning demonstration with Dr. ![]()
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