I always wait until the leaves are all off of the tree.. My Clevelands like to grow branches straight up the tree from the lower branches. With the leave all gone it is easier to see these branches and any cross branches that needs to be removed. I also remove some of the interior branches, so air can better circulate through the tree

I find that trimming them is some thing that must be done nearly on a yearly basis. Otherwise they get out of control. Also in my mind thinning them, lowers the wind resistance that can break a tree or break branches.

Thanks! Yeah, that's the issue here. They're just out of control a bit with straight-up branches and rubbing branches.

seems to me.. this is a tree.. that driving at 55 mph down the road.. i can spot them by natural shape alone ... im not sure i would be doing much pruning on a young one ...

could you give us a pic or two of yours so we can give you good suggestions

natural shape: https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffcm&q=Cleveland+Pear&iax=images&ia=images

dont be surprised if you get a lot of suggestions to just remove it.. as its invasive in some areas ... dont ask me why they still sell them' .. add your big city or state to the search.. to see if it is so in your area ....

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=cleveland+pear+invasive&t=ffcm&ia=web

ken

Thanks for the advice on pruning, cearbhail.

I'm not really looking for or interested in anyone's "opinions" on my tree choices, thanks, so you can simply stop with those.

Just give advice on pruning.

little touchy there ...

i asked for pix to give you good advice about your tree ...

i have one.. i dont really care what other peeps think either ... and it looks just like the pix at the link without every touching it with a pruner of any type ...

ken

Little quick to offer what wasn't asked for... And then to criticize when you're told to keep what wasn't asked for to yourself... I'd say I'm not....the touchy one...

Thanks, I got the advice I needed and can look up pictorial advice myself, without the peanut gallery chiming in on my tree choices. And most of that advice is actually written non-elliptically. If I require anything further, I'll be back.