You could try hanging reasonable sized weights (not enough to break
them).
Although I have never tried this myself, people use 'spreader sticks' to
wedge between branches to force them outwards. I don't grow pears, but
with my apples, plums, and peaches, I have not noticed this problem with
vertical branches not producing. I think you may not have a problem,
other than just waiting until the trees come to bearing age.

Also, you might check that the surrounding soil has enough potassium,
adding some to encourage blossoming.

Sherwin D.

Lee's wrote:

I thought pear tree branches were supposed to be more vertical? Not
horizontal. There isn't more than an inch or two horizontal currently. How
do you suggest I train these vertical branches?

Eric
"zxcvbob" wrote in message
...
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