Ken, It's quite common for these trees to be multi trunk. Here is it's sister tree that I'm planning on leaving with the four trunks, ...or at least three of them. Chris This post was edited by ctycdm on Mon, Nov 10, 14 at 20:54

What kind of citrus tree is this? If it is a Meyer lemon, this is its normal growth habit - bush-like. Depends on the cultivar, and what type of shape you're after. It doesn't appear to be rootstock growth, but scion growth to me. But, up to you. If you're after a more tree-like canopy, I would prune the branch off at the trunk. If not, I would leave it. Also, you can upload your photos to a photo sharing site, then copy and paste the HTML code right into the body of your message, thus embedding your photos right into your message. A little easier for the busy folks on this list to see your photos, than having to copy and paste the URL to each photo into a new browser window. Patty S.

I find it unusual, if not downright unlikely, that Bartlett could survive and do well for 23 years in NC. They're a fireblight wimp. I'm strongly suspicious that you've got something other than Bartlett - maybe even Keiffer; especially since you say it's a very very firm canning pear - that'd NOT be what I'd expect of Bartlett. It's a very common practice for the big box stores, and even some nurseries, to buy overruns, seconds, etc., from the big propagators and apply their own labels(usually Bartlett, for pears, as it's a well-recognized variety name), regardless of the true variety - they figure the bulk of the public either won't know, won't care, won't care for the trees(and they'll die) or they won't bother doing anything with the fruit if/when they do finally begin fruiting. Have a look at the NCGR Pyrus collection, linked below. Most of the varieties have photos or paintings that illustrate what the fruit looks like. Compare your pears to Bartlett and Keiffer. I'm betting on Keiffer; while many folks denigrate it as being barely edible and only good for making pear preserves, it is iron-clad in being able to withstand the ravages of fireblight and still rock along, producing good crops of fruit - and to me, having grown up in south AL, where it's one of the few pears that can withstand the yearly FB onslaught, it's what a pear is supposed to be - firm, juicy, tasty, and gritty. I love 'em. Here is a link that might be useful: NCGR Pyrus collection

My answer is YES. (all of the above) If you want large fruit then you need to thin them to about 1 fruit every 4 to 6 inches. If that still weighs the limbs down then thin them more or support them with props or tie them to a stake which you do not have. If you do not it WILL break the limbs off of the tree. I can't see the picture well but it looks like you have 100s of fruit and should start with thinning. I see now that I can click on the picture and get a slightly larger view. Yes, please thin them aggressively. I know that it hurts but I would leave less than half of them.