Pruning fruit trees
BY READERS DIGEST
1st Jan 2015 Home & Garden
When pruning your pear tree, timing is everything. Learn more about how and when to start pruning.
A gardener’s advice
1. For fruit trees winter pruning is important.
2. Prune to create a strong framework.
3. Remove crossing branches, those blocking light or air, and any dead wood.
4. To promote new growth, prune back main growing shoots to just above a healthy growth bud, slanting the cut upwards.
5. Prune back side shoots to form a fruiting spur, or leave them to grow into new branches.
6. Growth buds are easily distinguished from fruit ones because they lie flat to the stem; fruit buds are plumper and stand prouder by comparison.
How to incorporate fruit into your diet, with Hugh Fearnly-Wittingstall.