Lee's wrote:

I have a couple pear trees that I purchased from nursery/rootstock 5 and 6
years ago. The oldest was one of those 5-in-1 grafted trees, the other a
Duchess. Both trees are fairly healthy (glossy leaves), and grow a little
bit each year.

My concern is that I have never seen a blossom/fruit yet. Nearby apple
trees started producing 2-3 year after planting. I have pruned them back in
the past, but have not touched either one the last couple years.

Suggestions?

Eric


If they were full-sized pear trees, they can take 10 years to start
blooming :-( A semi-dwarf apple can bloom in just 2 or 3 years.

Are the branches growing straight up like on a poplar tree? You need to
train the branches more close to horizontal. The branches that make a 45
degree (or more) crotch and bend down close to horizontal will be much
stronger *and* bloom earlier. [I wish I had known this when I lived in
Texas and had a few standard pear trees]

Best regards,
Bob