'Once your pear tree reaches its desired height, typically around 5-7 years, you can begin pruning to control its growth.

I have an ornamental pear tree and prune it when the branches are rubbing together. I also clip off suckers from around the base and prune off low branches that hit my head when I'm mowing.

Proper pruning is actually good for a 'Bradford' pear. These are weakly branched trees to start with, and they tend to become more brittle and prone to limb-breakage as they age.

Pear tree pruning also begins at planting time. Cut back young, unbranched trees 33 to 36 inches above the ground to encourage good branching. If your new tree has plenty of branches, ...

Pruning Bradford Pear . Prune the trees early in their life to space lateral branches along a central trunk. This is not easy and a skilled pruning crew is needed to build a stronger tree.

Gardeners are advised to think twice before "cutting into branches that are more than 10-12cm (4-5in) in diameter". "If you must prune that branch, trace it away from the tree to see if there is a ...