Pear Fruit Thinning: Spacing Guidelines for Young and Mature Trees

Q: My young tree had 8 pears last year. This year I've counted 125. What's the rule for removing some so I get a good crop without breaking limbs?

Pears commonly overproduce. My father didn't thin; he used branches and 2x4s to hold overloaded limbs. Sometimes limbs cracked off, losing entire branches. Even 15 years after his death, those trees have a droopy appearance from bent branches.

For a young tree like yours, thin fruit to 8-10 inches apart. Don't allow clusters.

As the tree doubles in size, go to 6-8 inches between fruit.