Ornamental pear trees are very popular as they can be grown on nearly any type of landscape and are very easy to maintain. This article gives you tips on how to care for your ornamental pear tree.
Ornamental pear trees are preferred by garden enthusiasts as these trees add scenic beauty to all landscapes. The features that make this tree variety strikingly unique are – dark green foliage in summer, dark red/ orange/maroon/brown leaves in the fall, and beautiful blossoms in early spring. The most popular variety of ornamental pear trees that are planted are Callery, Chanticleer and Bradford; but due to their dense, multiple and vertical branch growth, these varieties are susceptible to damage from fluctuating weather conditions. Ornamental tree care is very similar to that of the edible variety of pear trees.
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Equipment Needed for Pruning
- Shears (long- and short-handled)
- Waste bags
- Gloves
- Rake
- Ladder
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1
Start your pruning process at the base of the tree. Clip away the shoots, as they may turn into multiple trunks if you let them grow. You can use a pair of short-handled pruning shears for this task.
Step 2
Once you are done with the base of the tree, work your way upwards. Leave the waste on the ground as you can collect and dispose it once you are done with the entire tree.
Step 3
Depending on the height of the branch, you can trim the branches using either long- or short-handled shears. The main objective of this step is to trim the canopy of tree, keeping the lateral branches 10 inches apart, so that the remaining branches are protected from snow and ice damage.
Step 4
Ornamental pear trees have a thick canopy, therefore you need to thin it out. This helps with better circulation of air, preventing the breeding of bacteria and fungi.
Step 5
If you find dead branches, you need to cut them off. Keep in mind that you need to keep at least one-fourth inch stub, so that the bark of the trunk does not get damaged.
Step 6
Once you have successfully completed the above steps, all you need to do is rake up the debris and dispose them in a waste bag. Please remember to sterilize your gardening tools, so that the fungus (if any) does not spread to other plants in your garden.
Pruning Time
Severe bacterial and fungal infestations can cause death of this flowering tree type. Some of the most devastating ornamental pear tree diseases are fire blight, leaf scorch, leaf spots and root rot. In the case of these trees, yearly pruning during late fall or early spring is advisable. Pruning can also be done after spring, when the tree stops flowering. With correct pruning methods, you can maintain the shape of the tree as well as prevent diseases from spreading.
Maintaining the Tree
In comparison to the fruiting type, ornamental pear tree maintenance is simple and easy. You don’t have to take extra effort for better fruit quality and high yield. For better tree growth, the favorable growth factors are:
Watering – Water the tree regularly until it gets established in the soil. Overwatering can lead to root rot and other root diseases.
Mulching – In mid spring, spread a layer of mulch (about 2-3 inches thick) around the tree to keep the soil moist because mulching retains moisture.
Fertilization – Fertilizing the trees is not a compulsion, but you can add nitrogen-rich fertilizers in order to kill the invading weeds.
To be more precise, ornamental pear tree care is all about regular watering, mulching, timely pruning, and keeping a watch over invading weeds and infestations. As soon as you spot any sign of a disease, seek advice from your local horticulturist, before it becomes unmanageable.