[julesDUB]

Hello

I'm new to gardening and I have a very large mature pear tree in my back garden.

This tree is producing hundreds of pears and last year (and this) I had to throw away most of them - well actually I composted then so they're not totally goping to waste

I have a couple of questions regarding -

the tree is maybe 30 - 40 feet high with large clusters of fruit very high up - what's the best way to get these - let them fall?
when can I prune this and how savage can I be - I just want it to block out the view of the house behind me - any tips to books or techniques on pruning would also be apreciated as I intend to do it myself
Finally - anybody got any good ideas on what to do with all these pears - preferably that doesn't involve peeling them

thanks

Julian

[Sive]

How about giving them to neighbours ? Or see if there's a local charity that would take them....meals on wheels? Stewed pears are delicious !