Medlar in January: monthly care

Medlar requires very little pruning once established, which is one reason it suits low-maintenance gardens. Prune only in December or January, during full dormancy, to minimise sap bleeding and reduce the risk of disease entering wounds. Use clean, sharp secateurs for small branches and a pruning saw for anything thicker than your thumb. In the first few years after planting, focus on building a balanced, open framework. Remove any crossing, rubbing or inward-growing branches to create a clear centre that allows light and air to reach the interior. Aim for a goblet or vase shape with four to six well-spaced main branches radiating outwards. Cut back to an outward-facing bud to encourage the tree to spread rather than grow upright and congested. Once the tree matures, pruning is minimal. Remove dead, damaged or diseased wood whenever you spot it. Take out any suckers arising from the rootstock below the graft union. Thin overcrowded branches if the canopy becomes too dense, but avoid heavy cutting: medlar fruits on short spurs on older wood, and over-pruning reduces cropping. If a branch has become unproductive or awkwardly placed, remove it entirely at the base rather than shortening it. Medlar naturally develops an attractive, spreading habit, so resist the urge to shape it heavily. Light, thoughtful pruning every few years is all that's needed to keep the tree healthy and productive without compromising its graceful form.