How to prune a pear tree: ultimate beginner gardening guide

Pruning pear trees is essential if you want fruit each year in your garden! Join Lee Burkhill the Garden Ninja as he shows you how to prune and look after pear trees. Even if you've never gardened before!
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Want to find out hints and tips that I use in my own garden? Then watch this guide and subscribe to my KZbin channel for more garden design hints, tips and hacks!
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Presented by Garden Ninja, Manchesters Garden Designer and blogger Lee Burkhill. He's an RHS Award-winning Chelsea garden designer and TV presenter on BBCs Garden Rescue with Charlie Dimmock.
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[@lynnsbomb]

Just started the video I already love those old clippers.

[@Gardenninja]

Glad you like them! 🥷🌿🤘

[@odonnelldenise]

Thats one lucky pear tree. Thanks.

[@tobyjburgess1243]

By far the easiest guide to follow. Clear and simple. Thank you!!

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks Toby. Glad you’re enjoying my content. Make sure you subscribe for hundreds more garden design hints tips and hacks. Also visit my Forum where you can ask me anything about gardening! www.gardenninja.co.uk/forum/ 🥷🌿🤘

[@joeschatz6069]

Thanks! About to prune my pear trees and I had no idea where to start. This most likely saved my trees from an over zealous pruning. God bless you!

[@Gardenninja]

Phew!!!! Just in the nick of time eh! Make sure you checkout my blog www.gardenninja.co.uk for hundreds more free gardening guides. 🥷🌿🤘

[@happygarden_]

*You are a great guy my friend GARDEN NINJA LTD, but most of all a good teacher. You also came across as very genuine and willing to share all that you know. May you grow in wisdom, I wish you abundant crops, happy gardeniiiiiiiiiing!!!*

[@Gardenninja]

Awwww thanks so much Happy Gardener. Never really thought of myself as a teacher. That’s really made me smile! Thanks so much! Happy gardening. 🥷🌿🙌😜

[@andreachadwick3791]

Nice and easy to follow. Looking forward to pruning early next year now.Thanks

[@Gardenninja]

So nice of you! I’m glad you feel you can now prune with confidence. All the best. Lee 🥷🌿🤘

[@brettiowausa1]

I just planted two pear trees. The pear trees were already two years old so will see if they need pruned come late winter. Very easy process to follow. Like many others I will be nervous doing my first prune.

[@Gardenninja]

Wonderful to hear! I always aim to make gardening as accessible as possible so I’m happy you’re finding my guides so easy to follow. Do check out the hundreds of other guides on my site www.gardenninja.co.uk 🥷🌿🤘

[@lovesoundification]

Not only is the video super informative, it’s also enjoyable to watch 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@Gardenninja]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment and kind words! Happy gardening. Lee 🥷🌿🤘

[@fatfreddyscat5173]

Thanks much for your efforts in making this vid available. 🤠👍

[@Gardenninja]

You’re welcome! Check out my site too www.gardenninja.co.uk for hundreds more free gardening guides and advice 🥷🌿🤘

[@rmedwards8312]

Another comprehensive&simply put way to prune,I love the pear tree rave too! I hope Barry's on the mend,great video 👌

[@Gardenninja]

Hahaha the pear tree rave. I love that! Throwing shapes is the best way to ensure it’s not congested clearly haha 🥷🌿🙌 Lee

[@bogglesbiggins1101]

Glad I found this channel this morning, really appreciate these beginner videos!

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks Boggles. Glad you’re enjoying my beginner gardening content! Happy gardening. Lee 🥷🌿🤘

[@UKProperPrepper]

Really helpful, thanks Lee

[@shuyang551]

Great guide tutorial! Well done! I now know how to prune a pear tree!

[@jendell9035]

Excellent video - I've got a two year old pear and didn't want to prune it badly! Thank you for breaking it down so well.

[@Gardenninja]

You’re welcome Jendell! I’m glad my gardening guides are so well recieved by the Ninja community! Make sure you check out my blog too for hundreds of gardening guides all step by step. www.gardenninja.co.uk/ happy gardening. 🥷🌿🤘

[@peterwhelan6144]

Thank you Lee , another very good video . Keep doing things this way please .

[@Gardenninja]

Will do Peter! Glad my video guides are helpful! 🌿🥷🤘

[@ChocolateMelanin]

My pear tree is only 2yrs old & it’s doing very well. I pruned it December last year & now the buds are coming through now like crazy. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@Gardenninja]

Fantastic to hear! It’s lovely when you see the buds emerge! All that enthusiasm bursting from the branches ready for fruit! 🥷🌿🙌

[@dawnrock470]

Thank you for the lessons. Your instructions are clear. I apprecate you.

[@InspirationSessions]

Really useful, thanks - we inherited a small pear tree and this video made me feel more confident of how to look after it properly

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Tom, so glad my guides helped you feel more confident at pruning your pear tree! Make sure you check out my blog for hundreds more gardening guides. www.gardenninja.co.uk/ 🥷🤘🌿

[@lauren8777]

nice! first time pear tree owners and trying to figure out how to properly prune, dont wanna hurt the poor thing! thank you for all the knowledge!! ❤

[@Gardenninja]

You’re welcome Lauren. Trust me when I say. Fruit trees are one of the most forgiving trees to prune. Even a poor prune will be recovered. But no pruning usually leads to an out of control and fruitless tree! So go forth and prune with confidence. 🥷🌿🤘🥰

[@lauren8777]

@@Gardenninja oooo!!! also very good to know, i had that little fear but now i feel better about it, time to pass on the knowledge to the other half so hes not worried anymore 😅 thank you thank you!!! 💖

[@kennethkowalchuk7868]

Brilliant. Easy to understand, well presented and demonstrated. Thanks.

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks Kenneth. Glad you like my gardening guides. Make sure you checkout my blog for hundreds of how to gardening guides www.gardenninja.co.uk happy gardening! 🥷🌿🤘

[@plantaddict4951]

This was super useful! Thanks for the great information

[@Gardenninja]

You’re welcome Plant Addict! Make sure you subscribe for even more garden hints and tips! 🌿🥷🤘

[@backyardsnackyard]

What a brilliant video. Thank you!!

[@Gardenninja]

You’re welcome Dani. Glad my gardening guides are helpful. 🥷🤘🌿

[@chaddamp2894]

Brill thanks !!

[@1165slugman]

Got 3 trees now I'm on it good vid

[@Texas503]

I like this video i will begin as newbie ❤

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks glad you're enjoying my gardening content! 🥷🌿

[@mrindia2574]

thanks mate

[@Gardenninja]

You’re welcome! 🥷🌿🤘

[@paulklasmann1218]

Thanks for the video. My pear tree was in the shade of a tall tree that's now gone. It was neglected and now needs a pruning. Should I wait until winter? Also, there are some low shoots growing that need cutting. Can these be used to propagate, to grow new trees? Thanks.

[@memoobaba]

Nice video great guide easy to understand, question is this similar for persimmon trees?

[@Gardenninja]

Yes! The same process for Persimmon! But they need less pruning here in the UK as they’re relatively slow growing. 🥷🤘🌿

[@jijforlife]

Hi thank you for you video. I have no expience but trees overgrown . Can I prune my pear and apple tree now its late 15 February 24?

[@karlitobergkamp8082]

Wonderful advice lee 👍🏻 would the same techniques be ok for an espalier or fan trained pear tree?

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Karlito. Yes but your wanting to probably shorten the vertical growth off horizontal or fan laterals more so you’ve got 2-3 buds only. That way they can become the fruiting spurs. Ie to bell keep the fan or espalier structure each year. 🥷🌿🤘 Happy pruning! Lee

[@sjay6668]

Totally agree with Happy Garden comment. Just a question for pear pest control on my conference tree. The under part of the leaves always have clusters of orange rust with eggs which burst open later in the year. The leaves look awful and fruit production is very low or none or with bugs inside. Not sure what the pest is but need to control the problem. Any idea? Would love to hear from you Lee. Just got back from work and going straight out to prune the pear tree - thank u for the lesson.

[@Gardenninja]

Hi S Jay. It sounds like it could be pear mite or something that has an overwinter cycle. Ie the eggs they lay in buds that then develop on the leaf before hatching. I’m always against chemical sprays so I’d go with a bio control approach of removing the infected leaves when you see the eggs or washing them off with a mix of washing up liquid and water if possible. I’d also give your pear tree a good feed to keep its strength up. A liquid feed each month during this years growing season should help keep it a bit more resilient. It’s going to be a little and often plan of attack but well worth it! Lee 🥷🌿🙌

[@mudasirahmad3735]

I have need your guidance sir how can prune my apple trees

[@samuelluke1659]

But whatever do you do if you get a Partridge in your pair tree.😂😂😂❤

[@Gardenninja]

Grab the Christmas cake obviously!!! 🤣🥷🌿

[@loverbear1981]

where are you located your accent is beautiful you helped me a lot with the trees on my property thank you

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks Rebecca! Happy gardening. 🥷🌿🐝

[@lgparker4726]

Good video; made simple and easy. Can I prune my pear tree to stay small enough for me not to go up ladders; far to old to climb.

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks Lg. Yes! You could tan train it or keep it small by removing the leaders. Sometimes using espalier pruning techniques can help create step over apple trees if pruned when young. Happy pruning. Lee 🥷🌿🙌

[@planetsalined]

My Asian Pear trees are 3 years old. I trimmed last year without knowing what I was doing and now have quite a few horizontal branches. I've since learned from your video and online forums that the branches should be more vertical. I'm in Pacific NW and I'm starting to see buds now. Should I trim off the horizontal branches now?

[@Gardenninja]

Hi. No leave the buds now. It’s too late in the season. Just to clarify. Horizontal branches aren’t a bad thing. Congestion. Rubbing branches. Or branches growing inwards are. You can espalier a pear. So google that term and you’ll see how horizontal branches can be a benefit. Don’t panic too much. Enjoy the trees fruit this year then correct any pruning mistakes next winter. 🌿🥷🤘

[@daleculliford3141]

Is it too late to prune now in mid-march. I live in Derbyshire, so Spring is a bit later. Thanks for such an informative and well-made video.

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks for the kind words about my videos! I wouldn’t advise it as you’ll find your apple tree bleeds a lot early in the season and you’ll probably lose all the fruiting potential. Best option is to prune after fruiting in late summer! 🥷🌿🤘

[@daleculliford3141]

Thank you so much. That's helpful. @@Gardenninja

[@quicknumbercrunch8691]

Great video. Why should I take off one fourth of healthy limbs? Does that encourage fruiting? Is it too control height? Thanks.

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks for the positive feedback! The reason we take off 1/4 of healthy fruit tree limbs is twofold. It encourages more fruit as it diverts energy away from excess leafy growth, and secondly, it helps keep branches shorter and therefore stronger for fruit yields, rather than long, with the risk of fruit causing them to snap or break away mid-harvest. Hope that helps. Do check my blog for hundreds more of my gardening guides: www.gardenninja.co.uk 🌿🥷

[@waynepruett2492]

The stems you cut off (pruned), are any of them useful to stick in growing media to try to grow a cutting? Are they good to graft onto another pear tree?

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Wayne. Great question and yes. You could use them for grafts. Sticking them in the ground would probably not result in rooting and if it did you wouldn’t be able to control the root stock. Ie end up with massive 15 m high peat trees. Checkout my guide to grafting here though if interested and remember when cutting for grafts mark the top end and bottom so you don’t graft upside down! www.gardenninja.co.uk/tree-grafting-fruit-trees-beginners-guide/ 🥷🌿🤘 Happy gardening! Lee

[@judyzwyghuizen2982]

TY for the Help I have 2 pear trees and one apple , and one peach I do not know how to take care of them and their is so many ant's climbing them is that ok or not??

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Judy. If you have ants then look for aphids. They maybe ‘milking them’ just Google it to find out. You can spray them off with a hose if they get out of hand. Follow my pruning guide and also my guide on apples and that should help! Happy pruning! 🥷🌿🙌

[@merialbest7442]

Have had to remove quite a thick branch that was damaged ... do I need to paint the cut with a sealant?

[@Gardenninja]

No, I never bother with sealand on tree pruning. I find it causes more problems than it solves. Cuts should seal themselves over the course of a week or so. Happy pruning! Lee

[@N2AK]

helko great video. my question is about a pear tree. its a baby. it has only 2 branches but is growing many leaves. when will i be pruning this tree for the first time so that more branches will come?

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Teresa. If it’s only got two branches leave it and prune it next winter when it’s dormant. This blog guide will help with other additional info! www.gardenninja.co.uk/how-to-prune-pear-trees-beginners-pruning-guide/ 🥷🌿👌

[@Finchersfarmstead]

Can you use those cuttings for growing new trees?

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Kim. Yes you can use them for grafts. You will struggle to get these to root themselves and if they do they will grow to full size. Ie huge. Most fruit trees are grafted to control their height. You can read more on grafting here. www.gardenninja.co.uk/tree-grafting-fruit-trees-beginners-guide/ 🥷🤘🌿

[@theconsistentnoddy9851]

Thanks for the information. I’m curious, if only pruning 1/4 of the vertical growth every time, eventually the tree will surely end up far too tall to harvest its fruit? At some point the tree will have to kept at a set height regardless of the amount of growth needed to be pruned won’t it?

[@Gardenninja]

Great question and I understand the logic. However, the ultimate growth and heights determined by the root stock. 1/4 is a good yearly amount but also removing older branches as they get congested is required too. If your trees breaching the available height or you’ve ended up with a really vigorous root stock then you can take up to 1/2 off really. However for beginners or young trees it can feel brutal for learner gardeners. So I find 1/4 best. Good shout though and maybe I could do an old apple tree brutal prune to show sometime! Happy pruning. Lee 🥷🤘🌿

[@theconsistentnoddy9851]

@@Gardenninja makes total sense, thanks for taking the time to reply 🙌

[@alexagonzalezwagner]

can someone drop the link for hard pruning my older pear tree? there are branches bending onto the ground i need help!

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Alex. Follow the same guide but also view this one too for some additional tips. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJzLZWqllJxpasksi=8jIMLZq5rt5Nrw1Y 🥷🌿💤

[@stevenocchionero5262]

Thank you awsome and simply described 🎉

[@Gardenninja]

Most welcome 😊 make sure you check out my site too where there are hundreds more free gardening guides! www.gardenninja.co.uk/ 🥷🌿🤘

[@RayRay-dr7og]

What’s your opinion on moss or lichen on fruit trees?? Established branches look about what yours look like-my neighbor tells me the trees are diseased and need to come down-other research tells me they’re fine. Very confusing!

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Ray Ray. Moss and lichen are absolutely fine and a sign of a healthy eco system around your tree. It doesn’t mean they’re diseased or dying. Diseased trees ooz, split, crack and turn black as a rule. So don’t panic it’s just an old wives tale about miss. If you want post some pictures on the Garden Ninja Forum here and I’ll take a look in the week for you. www.gardenninja.co.uk/forum/ 🥷🌿🤘

[@chaddamp2894]

is it the same for espallier pear ?

[@Gardenninja]

Similar but you take your pruning back to just 2 or 3 buds on the verticals growing off the horizontals. That way you can concentrate their effort on fruiting. If establishing an espalier you would also reduce the tip growth then tie it in horizontally. Espalier formation is tricky but if you’ve already got one just nip back any tall whippy growth off your established framework. Hope that helps! 🥷🌿🙌

[@lauratittensor2691]

Does it have to be winter or can you do it in autumn?

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Laura. Waiting for winter is best when they’re dormant. They may bleed in Autumn or have a higher chance of infection. Besides in winter you can truly see what you’re doing! Happy pruning. Lee 🥷🤘🌿

[@terrysmith4828]

Any advice on a quince "tree" (Chinese quince)? It doesn't seem like a normal tree as it seem more like a bunch of branches without a trunk

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Terry. Winter flowering quince and the Chinese quince are species more of a shrub than tree so they tend to be multistems. So don’t panic. Prune back to the base of any older or damaged stems. That way it stays balanced. Happy gardening! 🥷🌿🤘

[@terrysmith4828]

@@Gardenninja thank you

[@andybates4727]

i have 2 conference pear trees 9 years old they have [plenty of blossom in spring but not produce any pears i had them in 2 large buckets for 3 years then moved them into my garden then after 3 more years moved them again this year i have 1 single pear i prune every year and twice some years they get plenty of water, what am i doing wrong cheers andy

[@Gardenninja]

HI Andy, Sometimes fruit trees take a year off after heavy cropping. I wouldn't worry to much about it. The pear will bounce back! Keep the faith! Lee

[@judyzwyghuizen2982]

Do we ever have to spray them for bugs I know the Grape vines need sprayed but don t know what to use onthem either..

[@Gardenninja]

I don’t spray anything as I’m an organic gardener. Most things find a balance and encouraging all forms of wildlife tends to even things out from pests and predators. Happy gardening! 🥷🌿🙌

[@judyzwyghuizen2982]

@@Gardenninja Alot of worm holes in them

[@judyzwyghuizen2982]

@@Gardenninja Cannot even use my Grapes they get those little white worms in them..

[@natedog7638]

How do u get rid of leaf rust

[@Gardenninja]

Good hygiene with winter pruning to encourage air flow mainly. That and removing any rust covered leaves asap and destroying them. That’s the best method. 🥷🌿👌

[@spacecadetMD]

I've noticed that my pear tree badly needs to be trimmed, but it's already the beginning of summer. You said to prune in winter, but is it okay to prune in summer, or should I leave it and wait until next winter?

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Spacecadet definitely leave it until after it’s fruited. If you prune now you’ll lose all your fruit and risk putting the tree under stress and shock. 🥷🤘🌿

[@spacecadetMD]

@@Gardenninja Thanks!

[@minhtamducnguyen3070]

Now, May 1 at Northeast of USA. Is it too late to prune a pear tree?

[@Gardenninja]

Hi. I’d wait until the end of summer. If you prune now you’ll sacrifice all the fruit of this year. So harvest then prune. Happy gardening. Lee 🥷🌿🤘

[@minhtamducnguyen3070]

Thanks! ​@@Gardenninja

[@phillipyorko6686]

…but can we have a conversation about the outfit lol ❤️

[@Gardenninja]

What you’re not a fan of a skull hoody?! 🥷🌿🙌

[@maleahlock]

@@Gardenninja I love it!

[@phillipyorko6686]

@@Gardenninja nooo, I ❤️❤️❤️ it 😎

[@youtubeforkidz1394]

Steve-O cant unsee it nice video tho

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks! 🥷🤘🌿

[@Bart-Did-it]

I pray to Jeeberz never to be a begging skeleton 💀🩻 in life . Thanks for the help 🍐 Edit: to be a garden Ninja 🥷 you gotta prune the trees with a Samurai Sword ⚔️ 🌳.