gloria wrote:
have had 2 pear trees for about 7 years now. first tree was bought big
enough to produce but didn't. then we found out that a second tree
would be required for "proper pollination". we got that one. sure
enough the following season there were pears all over the place -to the
contented deer around it was heavenly!-. these were supposed to be
dwarf trees with red pears, they are neither. they were supposed to
have a very smooth skin, they do not. it is as course as i have ever
seen and felt. oh, and the pears are much smaller than usual although
they are honey sweet. but, as things go, that is what we have. last
year, while absent from the place, some electric company assholes -am
sorry but cannot find a softer definition for their stupidity- decided
to amputate part of the trees "because some branches were on the way
of electrical stuff. well! they thought easier to cut the tops of
these two trees all the way down to include the culprit branches!!!
pear season came and although we had about half of usual pears, they
grew to edible size. the problem now is that both trees have develop
an incredible amount of upshoots that come out of each branch. all
thin and looking to the sky! the strangest look one could imagine.
WHAT CAN WE DO A) TO SAVE THE TWO TREES? B) TO GET THEM BACK INTO
NORMAL PRODUCTION? C) TO IMPROVE THE CONSISTENCY OF THE SKINS? D) HOW
AND WHEN ARE WE TO CUT THESE THIN BRANCHES GROWING UPWARDS? PLEASE
HELP!!! GLORIA

If you planted them in the utility right-of-way the utility can prune
them at will. Having said that: the pears will produce better for you
with an annual pruning. Check with your states agriculture department
and/or county ag agent for best times to feed and prune. They can also
give you instructions on when to prune off the "water" limbs that are
growing straight up.

George