Grow Your Own Magazine

We have a pear tree that was growing under a huge shrub. When the shrub was removed last summer, the pear was revealed to be growing at a terrible angle

It leans more as the fruit swells and is worse this year.

It is leaning on the trunk of the rootstock for support

It has some leaves with marks on in one place (although only a few and less than last year when they didn't affect the crop)

It crops very well indeed - I don't really want to lose any of this year's harvest but am worried it is going to break/damage its trunk. Does anyone have any advice?

More pics here: Michelle's Garden: Our poor old pear tree

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My garden blog
http://michelles-garden.blogspot.com/
Updated 20th August 2008

oooooo it looks just like the leaning tower of pearza ........ sorry i'll get my coat.

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Hi - you might want to look a post on Hedge Clippings, which is all about what to do if your tree is falling over.

Good luck

Ade

I would be inclined to give it a pretty severe pruning this winter. Cut out as much of the branches that are pulling the tree down - you will be surprised how quickly it can recover.

Thanks for the advice - will make a note of problem branches and cut them back this winter! Still looking for something to prop it up with - could I support it with ropes? Like guy ropes on a tent? Or will that damage the tree?

Michelle

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My garden blog
http://michelles-garden.blogspot.com/
Updated 20th August 2008

If you put a big enough sleeve on it you could put in a post and give it some support. I have seen trees straightened by tightening the support tie gradually. You put a loop round the tree and tighten it by putting a rod through the loop and winding it little by little. The rod needs support after each complete winding - the ones I have seen have been hammered into the ground.

When you do cut out the branches you might need to seal them I wouldn't want you to get an infection in the wounds. I found this that may be of some help

TreeHelp.com: How to Prune a Tree

Thanks Tam! Will look for a very sturdy post to knock into the ground - how close to the tree can it go without damaging the roots?

Good info at TreeHelp.com, have bookmarked it for winter pruning - Thanks Wiccanlou!

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My garden blog
http://michelles-garden.blogspot.com/
Updated 20th August 2008

I would say you would be all right with a minimum distance of 4-5 feet, although I must say I have put them closer than that. I hope it crops for many years to come.