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Pruning guide · Tree
Willow-leaved pear: when and how to prune
Pyrus salicifolia
Willow-leaved pear is best pruned in January–February.
| Pruning months | January–February |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Outside it |
| Flowering | April |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Willow-leaved pear: when to prune it?
In winter, in January and February, when the tree is bare and you can see the branch framework clearly.
Willow-leaved pear: how to prune it?
- First remove dead, diseased and crossing branches.
- Thin the dense dome of ‘Pendula’ a little every year: take out some of the oldest hanging branches to let light and air into the crown.
- Shorten branches that are too long to just above a bud, so the dome stays just clear of the ground.
- Remove upright water shoots and suckers from the rootstock.
- For a taller weeping tree, let one strong shoot grow upright and tie it to a cane: this builds a new top.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: January–February.
- Never remove more than about a quarter of the crown at once. Better a little every year.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- The pruning months fall outside the nesting season (15 March–15 August), so you won’t disturb nesting birds.
- Willow-leaved pear flowers in April, when it attracts bees.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Prune in dry weather and disinfect your secateurs between trees: this reduces the risk of fireblight, which spreads through wounds and tools.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Willow-leaved pear · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.