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Q: I have a 40+ year-old Williams pear tree approx 10 feet tall. I want to prune it down to a more manageable size. Although it has borne fruit in the past it is now more ornamental than anything else. It is just coming into bud and as in previous years this is followed by the leaves going spotty. When would be the best time to prune or should I remove it completely. Many thanks great and informative show, Dennis Bryan
A: I never like to take any trees down, however old they are. Pruning should take place during the dormant period [November to March]. The pear tree has pear scab which is causing the blotches on the leaves – not a lot you can do but spray with copper fungicide or Dithane 945. If it were me I would just keep the elderly pear tree and next year cut out any heavily crossing limbs and reduce it slightly and enjoy it for the rest of its life.
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