To: North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [NAFEX] Drooping pear branches
Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 07:56:37 -0700 (PDT)
My 15' tall Patten pear tree (semi-dwarf OF-333) has all its branches drooping excessively this spring, and seems to be getting worse. The branches that were reaching for the sky last year are almost touching the ground, and the new growth on the tips are growing upward, so there is a j-hook on the end of each branch. All of my other trees are just fine.
I know drooping branches can be a sign of fire-blight, but the leaves and tips are really healthy...I don't see any die-back.
Is this normal? I didn't prune it last year and it had about 4' of growth...is this a variety that needs to be pruned to keep it from drooping. I'd hate to see what it would look like with fruit on it. Any help would be appreciated.