Posted by Zootal on August 20, 2009, 2:39 pm
The top 5-6 feet of one of my Asian Pear trees broke off yesterday. It
wasn't that badly loaded with fruit, but we did have some high winds, and I
think the combination of wind and fruit load was just too much for it. It
broke off at about 5 1/2 feet above the ground. There are several good
branches growing below the break, but it was the main vertical growing stem
that broke. Pics here:
http://zootal.no-ip.info/stuff/2009/2009AugustBrokenAsianPear/images/DSCF6258.JPG
http://zootal.no-ip.info/stuff/2009/2009AugustBrokenAsianPear/images/DSCF6257.JPG
http://zootal.no-ip.info/stuff/2009/2009AugustBrokenAsianPear/images/DSCF6260.JPG
Any tree experts care to comment on whether the tree is worth keeping? I can
take some more pics if there are any particular angles you want to see.
There are several sturdy branches growing out, but the main stem snapped.
I'd like to save the tree if possible as the fruit is much sweeter then any
of my other asian pears. Is it possible to graft a branch onto the broken
stem so that it can continue to grow upwards? Or is the tree likely to do
well if I just leave it as is and let the remaining branches grow out?
Posted by zxcvbob on August 20, 2009, 3:26 pm
Zootal wrote:
> The top 5-6 feet of one of my Asian Pear trees broke off yesterday. It
> wasn't that badly loaded with fruit, but we did have some high winds, and I
> think the combination of wind and fruit load was just too much for it. It
> broke off at about 5 1/2 feet above the ground. There are several good
> branches growing below the break, but it was the main vertical growing stem
> that broke. Pics here:
>
>
http://zootal.no-ip.info/stuff/2009/2009AugustBrokenAsianPear/images/DSCF6258.JPG
>
http://zootal.no-ip.info/stuff/2009/2009AugustBrokenAsianPear/images/DSCF6257.JPG
>
http://zootal.no-ip.info/stuff/2009/2009AugustBrokenAsianPear/images/DSCF6260.JPG
>
> Any tree experts care to comment on whether the tree is worth keeping? I can
> take some more pics if there are any particular angles you want to see.
> There are several sturdy branches growing out, but the main stem snapped.
> I'd like to save the tree if possible as the fruit is much sweeter then any
> of my other asian pears. Is it possible to graft a branch onto the broken
> stem so that it can continue to grow upwards? Or is the tree likely to do
> well if I just leave it as is and let the remaining branches grow out?
>
>
I would just cut it off clean at the break and see what happens. It
should sprout several new leaders and next year you can pick one and cut
the others off. Or keep it pruned like a peach tree with no leader
(that might look weird.)
IIRC, Asian pears are resistant to fire blight, so you shouldn't have to
worry about that from the open wound.
Bob
Posted by brooklyn1 on August 20, 2009, 4:01 pm
> The top 5-6 feet of one of my Asian Pear trees broke off yesterday. It
> wasn't that badly loaded with fruit, but we did have some high winds, and
> I think the combination of wind and fruit load was just too much for it.
> It broke off at about 5 1/2 feet above the ground. There are several good
> branches growing below the break, but it was the main vertical growing
> stem that broke. Pics here:
>
http://zootal.no-ip.info/stuff/2009/2009AugustBrokenAsianPear/images/DSCF6258.JPG
>
http://zootal.no-ip.info/stuff/2009/2009AugustBrokenAsianPear/images/DSCF6257.JPG
>
http://zootal.no-ip.info/stuff/2009/2009AugustBrokenAsianPear/images/DSCF6260.JPG
> Any tree experts care to comment on whether the tree is worth keeping? I
> can take some more pics if there are any particular angles you want to
> see. There are several sturdy branches growing out, but the main stem
> snapped. I'd like to save the tree if possible as the fruit is much
> sweeter then any of my other asian pears. Is it possible to graft a branch
> onto the broken stem so that it can continue to grow upwards? Or is the
> tree likely to do well if I just leave it as is and let the remaining
> branches grow out?
Your pictures made me laugh... two of just the break are funny but
especially the one of the broken branch dying on the ground. Why pray tell
didn't you take a picture of the *entire* tree (including where the trunk
meets the ground), then one could tell the approximate age of the tree but
more importantly what percentage of the tree the break constitutes. It
appears that the branch broke because it probably should have been partially
removed with normal pruning. There doesn't appear to be a thing wrong with
your tree, it looks perfectly healthy. Prune the broken branch back to the
crotch and allow a new leader to form (there shouldn't be just one leader on
a fruit tree anyway). And get yourself some information on when and how to
keep your pear tree pruned, it's very important to prune fruit trees to keep
them structurally strong.. Pear trees need a pollinator, is this your only
pear tree or are there others nearby? Also, don't leave that broken branch
anywhere near your tree, best to burn it.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/857/
Posted by sherwin dubren on August 21, 2009, 1:44 am
brooklyn1 wrote:
Prune the broken branch back to the
> crotch and allow a new leader to form (there shouldn't be just one leader on
> a fruit tree anyway).
I disagree with your comment about having multiple leaders on fruit
trees. A single leader is the way to go. It will give the tree a
much better shape whenever it grows back.
And get yourself some information on when and how to
> keep your pear tree pruned, it's very important to prune fruit trees to keep
> them structurally strong.. Pear trees need a pollinator, is this your only
> pear tree or are there others nearby?
I think he said this was his tastiest Asian pear tree. He must have
others.
Sherwin
Also, don't leave that broken branch
> anywhere near your tree, best to burn it.
>
> http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/857/
>
>
Posted by brooklyn1 on August 21, 2009, 7:36 am
"sherwin dubren" wrote:
> brooklyn1 wrote:
> Prune the broken branch back to the
>> crotch and allow a new leader to form (there shouldn't be just one leader
>> on a fruit tree anyway).
> I disagree with your comment about having multiple leaders on fruit
> trees. A single leader is the way to go. It will give the tree a
> much better shape whenever it grows back.
Well you are just plain wrong. Fruit trees need to be shaped to make them
capable of bearing the weight of their crop, and should have as open a
structure as possible to allow them to receive maximum light and enable
easier harvesting, there should be no central leader. All trees require
pruning for structural soundness but especially crop trees. The OP's single
spindely leader fractured for one reason and one reason only, it was too
long and too thin making it incapable of bearing the weight of the pears.
If one wants a specimen tree with a "better shape" then there are plenty of
ornamental pear trees to choose from. You've obviously never visited a
fruit tree orchard.
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> wasn't that badly loaded with fruit, but we did have some high winds, and I
> think the combination of wind and fruit load was just too much for it. It
> broke off at about 5 1/2 feet above the ground. There are several good
> branches growing below the break, but it was the main vertical growing stem
> that broke. Pics here:
>
>