I have a couple of Asian pear varieties that I got mail order, they look like they have a few years on them without any branching. I suspect they are just slower movers and in these pots longer than planned. I plan on making a heading cut, however I want the branching to start much lower. I have read about nothing but was hoping to get some input from those with experience. I have Shinseiki and Korean Giant. I’d like to get 4 branches going lower on each one, could all 4 notches be done at the end of the dormant season? Any advice would be welcome.
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I haven’t grown asian pears but notching in my experience is risk free and sometimes works. Go ahead and notch all 4 before bud break next year.
When I notch I take a knife and score through the bark and the cambium, making sure that the cut overhangs the bud well. Then cut above the first cut and remove the strip of bark.
Seems like my pear likes to try to fill in the gap so sometimes I go back and clean it up a bit.
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