Moving pear trees

[WorrisomeHeart]

Hi

Am looking for some advice on two pear trees I've inherited in our new(ish!) garden. In the photo they are on the far right against the fence. I'm concerned there's not enough space for them there and they'll push the fence down when bigger so considering moving them to a better position. When's the best time for this and how do I do it? Or do you think they have enough room, am I worrying unnecessarily? Tia.

[wowfudge]

Look up 'espalier training' and train the pear trees against the fence. Perhaps that what the person who planted them planned to do.

Whatever you do, don't attempt to move them now when they are in blossom.

[CuttedUpPear]

Yes, if they are young enough then espalier train them.
If they are more than three years old it will be impossible to move them unless you do it with a digger with a huge bucket on the front (I have done this successfully btw ).

If they are really worrying you, cut them down and replant. Young trees are about £12 each.

[AlternativeTentacles]

They need to be espaliered. I can't see anyone planting that close to a fence and not planning to espalier them.

If you want to move them, move them once the leaves have dropped in the late autumn. Take as much of the root ball as you can. I moved three cherries of that size last winter and they are now insitu and blossoming.

[WorrisomeHeart]

Oh that's interesting, one has been trained along the fence already. The other one is just leaning into it. So will they grow along the fence rather than push it over? I am a completely black thumbed novice so genuinely have no clue!

[AlternativeTentacles]

They will need tying in and pruning properly...www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=319

[aircooled]

Yes to espalier training! If they've been neglected you might have to cut wayward bits off and start again in some sections. They will eventually be self supporting when the branches have thickened up.