When branches need more vigor tips are removed to ‘tira savia.’ Tira Savia Pruning which is too aggressive can result in excess tree vigor the following year. Remove one to two large branches per tree per year. It is critical for an ongoing renewal process. “We need 30% of the ambient light in order to induce flower bud formation.” Removing large branches over time helps ensure that sufficient light to produce buds and fruit reaches a larger portion of the canopy.

Trees with many smaller branches can bear as much fruit as trees with few large branches without creating as much shade while increasing vigor. “Instead of few large branches, I would prefer to have smaller branches,” Musacchi explained. Large branches create shade in the canopy. Removing large branches Removing one large branch per year is important for tree renewal. Here are a few of the concepts for pruning young pear orchards Musacchi shared. Stefano Musacchi, professor of horticulture at Washington State University and Bob Gix, horticulturist at Blue Star Orchard shared pear pruning ideas at this spring’s Young Grower pruning demonstration in Cashmere WA.

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