Question From: Medina, New York, United States
Q: Our ornamental pear tree was planted last year. Winter here was long & hard - snow & cold. When spring finally came, buds came out, & leaves came on the bottom 2/3's of the branches, but none came out on top 1/3 (see photo), with the exception of a few that turned brown. Should the upper part be trimmed off? If so, when - now? fall? winter? Or should we wait til spring & see if it recovers on its own?
A: The branches that are leafless are dead and will not recover. I would prune them off after the tree goes dormant so as not to exposed the live tissue to disease. Be sure to keep the tree well watered and fertilize it with an organic fertilizers, such as Tree Tone, in late fall after the tree has gone dormant, according to package directions. Good Luck and Happy Yardening, Nancy
