Here I am again, a newbie at pruning fruit trees but learning fast. a client is having me prune his neglected fruit trees which he sawed off at the top a couple of years ago, so the framework is there from the initial planting, but all the shoots are growing congested and straight up fairly high. I am talking about a Pear tree now. So I understand the thinning aspect. And, how far do I head back the remaining shoots?? I have been taught that the harder you cut the shoot, the more stimulated the growth will be during the growing season. So do I prune more conservatively, only heading the remaining shoots by a third ? Also, some shoots have short spikey twigs about an inch long which I am thinking are the future spurs?? are those pokey things going to be spurs? (On one Pear tree, I cut it back about 6" above the set of pokey things and this was a pretty hard prune to bring the tree shoot height down) Not sure if I should do this on the next ones or just head back each shoot by a third? Any advice/tips are welcome. thanks. Also, can anyone tell me how to identify a plum tree from a cherry tree when dormant in March? bark? time of leaving out? etc. Also, does anyone know a good pollenizer for gravenstein apple? does Fuji?? and, what are the differences between gravenstein and red gravenstein? does anyone have any experience with either of these trees and where do you grow them geographically? thanks. any comments are welcome on the above topics. i need support.
