You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
What is the one garden tree that you don’t plant for yourself but for your grandchildren? The simple household pear is notorious for being slow to start fruiting and the but of many a rural joke when someone plants a tree. This tree might not be the most popular but, all in all, this tree is great for the garden and among the longest lived trees in the fruit world.
The wood is prized for instrument and furniture making, the fruit is among the oldest and most revered, and the blooms are stunning in the spring. This is a wonderful plant that is a poor choice in the garden for looks, but wonderful for all the uses in can bring in the garden. These trees are slow growers, slow producers, and slow to die-many, many years from planting. What would make you want to give up valuable space in the garden to a tree that will give you so little in the here and now? Read on and I hope to have you planning on where to plant that next tree in the yard - a pear tree.
Where to Plant -
Pear trees need to get full sun and soil, after established, on the moist to dry side. Pear trees need full sun. The trees will stretch and grow misshapen if not given full sunlight. The planting area does not need to be amended but it will help the tree, and trees need to be the oldest you can possibly afford for faster growth and bloom. The first few years the tree will send out shoots rather quickly and grow at a faster rate. After the push of the first years, the tree will slow down and grow very slowly. Make sure there is plenty of room around the tree to insure air flow and watch the branches, thinning only when they are crossing.
Trees need to be planted 25 to 30 feet from any other tree for the best growth, bloom, and in time, fruiting. Even for small varieties, the trees need to be planted to the point that the branches do not touch each other or another tree. These are good plants to put lawn beneath since they do not like their root zones disturbed as would happen if you planted a garden under the tree.
What to Plant -
All pear trees are from Europe, North Africa, and Asia. On the whole they are deciduous, but there are some evergreen Asian varieties that can be grown in the United States. Pears are among the most common of all fruit trees and they are among the hardiest taking temperatures of up to 20 below zero. There are many varieties of Pears on the market today, everything from the old fashioned pears of yesterday to the modern Asian pears now on the market. Here in the U.S., there is a pear tree perfect for your likes and needs. The best way to buy a tree is to buy locally. Buy what you are looking for and do not take anything but the very tree you really want. Many garden centers are notorious for trying to pass off inferior pear tree varieties to their customers so be ready and know what you want. Only buy from a place you really trust, seeing you might not see fruit for a very long time--long after your guarantee is gone and forgotten. Fruitless Pears
Never, ever plant a fruitless pear. These trees have none of the wonderful qualities of their fruit bearing cousins. They are weak trees, short lived, and offer none of the wonderful fruit. Over all, these trees are a waste of space but very common on the market. I have heard more than once of a buyer at a garden center going in for a fruiting pear and coming out with a fruitless one. Be careful and read before you buy any pear tree at a big box store to ensure your tree will bear fruit.
Time
Will my pear tree ever fruit? Yes, give it time and depending on the variety and how happy it is in your garden it will fruit about five years after planting. Some will fruit faster and some much slower. But good things come to those who wait so be patient, watch the spring blooms and the fall leaves, and wait for that first wonderful fruit to appear in the future. Like waiting for the birth of a child, waiting for the first fruit to grow on a pear can be a fulfilling and wonderful experience.
Thank you to Sarahskeeper for the images.
About M Fitzgerald
I am a pentecostal preacher, gardener,husband, and a father. I love natives, daylilies, iris, and roses. I love teaching others, be they children or adults, about the garden and plants.
Posted by paulineristeau (from Warren, MI) on August 26, 2008 at 7:01 PM:
Thank you so much for the information on pear trees. I gave my Uncle Jim 2 Bosc Pear Trees which he planted in loving memory of his daughter Chrissy after her unexpected death at just 35 years old.It comforts me a bit to know that these trees that were given and planted with such love from my heart anf his will be there for many years to come!! They mean a lot to him and to me.Do you know about how many years they will live?
Thank you
Pauline
...
Posted by MitchF (from Lindsay, OK) on August 26, 2008 at 7:43 PM:
Well taken care of - there are examples hundreds of years old.
...
Subject: My Gnarley Pears
Posted by mariposagarden (from Mariposa, CA) on August 25, 2008 at 9:55 AM:
I have 2 pears...I have long since forgotten what variety...I started an "orchard" with 2 each of about 10 different fruits when we moved here from the city 15 years ago...finally got fed up with the maintenance and deer problems, so most of the rest have long since gone...traded for maples, chinese pistache, liquid amber, crape myrtle, etc - "Fall colors" trees. However, the 2 pear trees are the only survivors...and I have hundreds of pears...just started fruiting 5 years ago! One of them actually got chopped off at the knees when it was 3 years old by an over-exuberant weed-whacker...now I have a pear tree and a huge, prolific pear "bush". I love these hardy souls! And I do think they are beautiful! Love the flowers, the gnarley branches, and the wonderful fruit! It is practically no maintenance! Am now collecting recipes from friends using pears.
...
Subject: Hey Mitch; nice one!
Posted by Aunt_A (from Tulsa, OK) on August 20, 2008 at 9:00 PM:
Great article with tons of info, Mitch. Our Kiefer is big and loaded with way too many pears this year. Too bad the Kiefers aren't really good fresh. Oh well, they make great chutney, if you can cut through them. I usually pick them too green.
Aunt_A
...
Posted by MitchF (from Lindsay, OK) on August 21, 2008 at 1:10 PM:
Wonderful - sooo what is chutney?
...
Posted by Aunt_A (from Tulsa, OK) on August 22, 2008 at 12:28 AM:
It is a type of relish. I dice the pears, throw in some raisins, spices, sugar and vinegar and other things that are escaping my memory at the moment, then boil them down together. Chutney is a wonderful side dish, but sometimes I just like to eat it. LOL
If I can find my recipe, I'll share it with you.
Aunt April
...
Posted by MitchF (from Lindsay, OK) on August 22, 2008 at 10:18 AM:
Sounds wonderful - would love to try it.
...
Posted by Aunt_A (from Tulsa, OK) on August 23, 2008 at 12:26 AM:
Okay, sure. Will be happy to share it.
Made Watermelon Rind pickles a couple weeks ago; my article w/ recipe will be published next Friday.
Aunt April
...
Posted by MitchF (from Lindsay, OK) on August 23, 2008 at 10:02 AM:
Good I have been needing that for a while now - Esther and her family does not know what they are!
...
Subject: know your pears
Posted by pejiduta8 (from Louisville, KY) on August 20, 2008 at 4:09 PM:
I was under the impression that pear trees don't last all that long, but then again, I have had zero experience with them. In the subdivision next to mine, the contractor planted pear trees in nearly every yard. But almost all of the trees eventually split down the middle and had to be removed. My friend was one of the last to succumb to this tragedy, having to yank out her tree last year. Do you know what the problem is that causes the trunks to split in half? Maybe the trees were the non-fruiting el-crappo ones you say should be avoided?
...
Posted by MitchF (from Lindsay, OK) on August 20, 2008 at 4:39 PM:
They are the non-fruiting ones. The real fruit trees are very long lived and do not look perfect and round.
...
Posted by jazzzy704 (from Fenton, MI) on August 25, 2008 at 11:09 AM:
pejiduta8,
The pear trees that split are the landscape non fruiting version. The problem is that they have VERY heavy branching and unless a knowledgeable pruning is done at regular intervals the top gets too heavy and the tree can not support the weight of the branching. We see here in Michigan subdivisions full of these beautiful pear trees and i know they are one storm or strong wind away from death!!
PS does anyone have any variety preferences? Do you need 2 different varieties?
Julie
...
Posted by pejiduta8 (from Louisville, KY) on August 27, 2008 at 10:08 AM:
Thanks for the replies. Now I am better informed and that's always a good thing!
...
Posted by GardenWhisperer (from Barnegat, NJ) on September 7, 2008 at 9:22 PM:
How do you know when to pick the pears? Do you do it while they are still firm? Think mine are Barlett or something similar. After you pick them do you put them in a brown bag to ripen like tomatoes or just sit them on the counter? This is first year I've gotten pears. I had to pick them because Hanna would have knocked them off...it did knock off the 4 I left on the tree...good thing I picked the others. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
...
Posted by MitchF (from Lindsay, OK) on September 8, 2008 at 12:28 PM:
I sent you a dmail !
...
Subject: THE PEAR TREES
Posted by docgipe (from NORTH CENTRAL PENNSY, PA) on August 19, 2008 at 4:51 PM:
We have a mix of Asians and Europeans. We find the Asians literally idiot proof and delicous. They are common now but about two to three dollars a piece at the green grocers. Our trees produce bushels. They do not even care when they are pruned for size and shape. We trim them when the tools are sharp just about anytime. Care is early application of Neem Oil at bud emergence weekly through polination. After that we do nothing but thin the copious fruit set. If we were to visualize a dollar for each one we get the total would be hundreds at the dollar value. We have excess to trade with our chefs in the area. You should just see the fancy words that they apply to our Asians.
Thanks for the great introductory article on pears. Our pear tree count is now up to five. Beats the dickens out of messing with apples. Good advise on the need of nearly full sun. We would add that they should be severely trimmed so that a drunk robin can fly through in any direction but straight down. We find it take about five years to see the first juicy yummy pear.
...
Posted by Fitsy (from Hayesville, NC) on August 25, 2008 at 12:11 PM:
Wow!
Fitsy
...
Subject: Thanks! Mind easier
Posted by brigidlily (from Lumberton, TX) on August 19, 2008 at 11:33 AM:
I put in a Keiffer and an Oriental 2 years ago, from National Arbor Day Foundation. Just sticks with some roots, of course, but now nearly my height and some tentative branches. I won't worry about how slowly they're growing now. Also very good to know I should not replace the lawn they're on with garden!
The wood is prized for instrument and furniture making, the fruit is among the oldest and most revered, and the blooms are stunning in the spring. This is a wonderful plant that is a poor choice in the garden for looks, but wonderful for all the uses in can bring in the garden. These trees are slow growers, slow producers, and slow to die-many, many years from planting. What would make you want to give up valuable space in the garden to a tree that will give you so little in the here and now? Read on and I hope to have you planning on where to plant that next tree in the yard - a pear tree. 
What to Plant - 
