By Katrine
Renfrewshire,
United Kingdom 
I have a pear and an apple tree for past four years. Both produce fruit. They have been left to grow wild and I was told to cut back the branches not producing fruit in order to direct the growth to the fruiting brances, but I am not sure if I should do this whilst fruit is growing and if I should, do I have to apply rooting powder to severed branches
Thanks
Kate Somerville
13 Jul, 2010
Previous question
I would only prune out branches in winter when you can see more clearly the shape of the tree. Thin out (remove) crossing branches or any showing signs of rubbing or other damage. Weedy shoots can be pruned hard back to a couple of buds.
Pruning to encourage flowering and fruit is slightly different and should be done towards the end of August reducing current side shoots back to a couple of buds (near the base of current shoot). Your trees don't sound like they need this type of pruning so just stick to the former type.
Rooting powder is used for a completely different reason and isn't used on cut branches.
13 Jul, 2010