Pear trees are offered commercially as bush forms, half-trunks or standard trunks. In addition to the size of the garden, ease of care also plays an important role when choosing the right growth habit.
What is a pear tree half trunk and what advantages does it offer?
A pear tree half-trunk is a type of tree in which the crown grows at a height of 1.00 to 1.60 meters. It requires less space than a standard tree and is suitable for medium-sized gardens and orchards. Care is easier because the crown is easily accessible and the tree disc is easy to maintain.
The different growth forms
- bush shape
- Niederstamm
- Half trunk
- High trunk
Difference between half-stem and standard stem
The difference between the growth forms is the length of the trunk. Measurements are made from the tree disc to the base of the crown.
The gardener speaks of a half-trunk tree when the crown grows from a height of 1.00 to 1.60 meters. In contrast, the crown base of standard breeds is at least 1.80 meters.
Particularly low half-stem varieties are referred to as low-stem varieties. Here the crown starts at 80 centimeters.
The benefits of the half-trunk
Hobby gardeners like to plant half-trunk pear trees in medium-sized gardens. The trees don't need as much space as tall trunks. This makes it easy to plant two trees so that the pears can fertilize each other.
The crown of the half-trunk will not be so expansive. It can be reached without a ladder if you cut the pear tree or if you want to top it with plant broth to prevent disease.
Harvesting the fruits can also be done from the ground without the need for a fruit picker.
Easy care of the tree disk
You should provide a layer of mulch on the tree disk of a half-trunk. If you can't get pest-free mulch, sow dandelions or mustard seeds on it.
Unlike bushy shapes, there is enough space under the half trunk to fit a lawnmower underneath. So you can easily care for such a pear tree on a lawn.
Disadvantage of half-trunk trees
A half-trunk pear tree has a major disadvantage compared to standard trees.
In cases of fungal infection, the entire tree often has to be felled. Infested areas of a standard tree can be cut out without doing too much damage to the tree.
Half-stem and low-stem trees do not have such thick branches and trunks that the diseased parts of the tree can be easily removed. In the worst case scenario, the pear tree has to be cut down.
Tips & Tricks
Choose half-trunk pear trees if you want to create a meadow orchard. You can mow the grass well and tree care is easier than with bushy forms or standard trees.
