Question: Hi, I just bought a "4-in-one semi dwarf pear for regions with under 500 hrs of chill" grown by you from my local nursery. There is a branch growing low, below all of the grafting. Is this something that will produce or should I prune it off? If it needs pruning, when is the best time to do this? I plan to espalier it later, is there any reason I cannot?
Thanks,
Leo L. San Antonio, TX.
Answer: Hi Leo. Thank you for supporting your local independent nurseries.
The 4-N-1 combination trees have 4 different buds budded where we think the homeowner would best like the branching to start for convenient fruit picking. Each branch is labeled (at least when it left our nursery). Any branches that come out from the trunk below those 4 buds is rootstock and has no value for your future fruit production (other than feed the tree with more food producing leaves). I would cut off that "sucker" - and doing it now is just fine before it gets too big and creates a larger scar.
Cosmetic and minor shape pruning can be done any time. I would hold off doing any major pruning until the tree is dormant this winter when it does not need the leaves to produce food for growth. I like turning 4-N-1 combination trees into espalier trees. I planted a 4-N-1 apple next to a fence and trained the 4 branches along the fence for easy picking and consistent sun. Since the 4 varieties are budded on 4 sides of the tree as opposed to 2 buds on each of two sides on the tree, you will have to carefully train two of the branches to turn sideways. This is easier to do while the branches are young and limber. Otherwise you will need to select a side bud on that variety to train it sideways and eventually cut off the branch pointing the wrong direction.
Remember to keep the 4 branches in balance with each other. If one or more varieties tend to dominate, prune it heavier to reduce its food production for growth which allows the other varieties to catch up.
Hope you enjoy your future bountiful harvest.
Ron Ludekens 9-7-2011