I used to prune these off until I found out that they are a normal part of being pears. They’re called “bourse” buds.
Thank you !..actually, the link you left suggests prune them off…
Mark has it right , but I never heard them called by that name.
“ bourse buds “ so good to know.
I was taught they are “fruit bases”
Where a apple / pear grew the year before.
Can’t think of a reason to cut them off.
The link does suggest that you cut back before bourse shoots on 2 and 3 year old wood. Is that because bourse shoots do not generally produce flower buds? Espalier trees have many bourse shoots. Should I remove some of them to encourage new fruiting spurs?
I prune off those, when I see them. If you don’t, they’ll just get bigger and won’t produce any
fruit.
Thanks!
That is a really good summary Mark, thanks for that. It makes me realize how little I know about what I am doing with my pome fruits!
You and me both, bro! Seems like it never ends doesn’t it?