Bob:

It's never too early or late to prune most things. But I do 95% of my pruning while the trees are growing. There are a few things, like apricots in CA where pruning isn't advised at certain times of the year.

On Asian pears, I usually prune out about 50% of the spurs to make thinning less of a chore.

The Fruitnut

Bob:

I am absolutely with the Fruitnut. Prune any time you are out there with your pruner. Summer is better than winter if you want to control your trees. And I concur that thinning Asian pears can be facilitated by removing some fruiting wood, since they routinely overset.

I would take off the upright shoots, right at the base, and whatever else is crowded as well.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA