Pear tree dead, rootstock alive!

houseboy · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 3:01 pm Post subject: Pear tree dead, rootstock alive!

Hi,

I have a pear from Lidl (or Aldi, I forgot which) and I'm fairly sure it's dead - it's about 2 years old, planted last year.

However, the rootstock has put out a sucker, is there any point letting it grow on to see what happens? If so, should I 'prune' off the dead pear tree? No urgency to this really, the tree's not going anywhere fast, I'm more curious to see what will happen...

Oh, also I've no idea what the rootstock is, although I've read that commercial pears are mostly grafted into quinces (not to be confused with LA coroners in terrible knitwear...)

Cheers!

Greengage · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 4:40 pm Post subject:

Well if your curious cut off the dead wood and see what happens

James Kilkelly · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 5:55 pm Post subject:

A clean cut now might be better than a jagged tear which can result from winter winds across a dead trunk and canopy.

houseboy · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 6:02 pm Post subject:

A clean cut it will be then.

Tomorrow obviously, it's far too cold and unpleasant out there now...

Thanks for the thoughts

Cheers!

tippben · Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2012 12:58 am Post subject:

Aye, it's probably grafted onto quince, but that is certainly not a bad thing! Quinces are "marmelos" in Spanish. Made into a preserve with sugar, they become "marmalade". Gorgeous flower as well.

houseboy · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 6:32 pm Post subject:

Nice one, and quince jelly too.

I'd better run out and get some cheese...