Some gardeners opt for columnar fruit varieties such as a columnar pear in order to spend as little time as possible on care measures such as pruning. Depending on the variety of pillared pear, it may be necessary to use secateurs to ensure the desired shape and optimal plant health.

Columnar pears can easily be pruned back in summer

Different pruning requirements for the different types of pears

The columnar growth is genetically anchored to varying degrees in different cultivars of the columnar pear and must therefore be supported to varying degrees by targeted cuts on the pear tree. For example, the columnar pear variety 'Condora' is characterized by relatively strong growth of the side shoots. So if a columnar shape is to be achieved or retained, the side shoots must be regularly shortened accordingly. This pruning, known as "pinching", is hardly necessary with a pear tree of the 'Decora' variety, since this variety grows all by itself in an almost perfect columnar shape.

The right time for the shape cut

Since the dominant central shoot is very important for fruit set in columnar pears, its growth should be promoted through targeted pruning measures. Ideally, the following points should be observed when pruning from mid to late June:

  • shorten the side shoots to about 2 to 3 buds or a length of 10 to 15 cm
  • place all cuts just above an eye/bud
  • Always use clean, sharp pruning shears
  • Remove broken or dead branches promptly

If a columnar pear reaches an age of around 7 years, the central shoot should also be cut in order to regulate height growth and encourage better branching.

Regulate the height in a targeted manner

If a columnar pear tree (e.g. for cultivation on a balcony) is to remain particularly small, the dominant central shoot can be pruned earlier than the age of 7 years. However, with such a limitation of height growth, it should be expected that the lateral branching of the columnar pear, which is all the greater, will have to be kept in check by appropriate pruning.

tips

If the desired yield is still missing years after planting a columnar pear, this does not necessarily have to be related to incorrect pruning or certain location factors. Since pear blossoms are somewhat "choosier" when it comes to pollination than many other blossoms in the plant kingdom, some varieties of the columnar pear may need a pollinator in the immediate vicinity.

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Trees