Pears.

[wrsni]

Beating up time for the woodlands second winter and although I haven't been too detailed yet I know that there'll be little needed this winter. Allied to the fact that I've a lot of self seeded ash and plum eyed out in a few locations about the place there shouldn't be much, if anything, to buy.

 

So, in keeping with my intention that it should be as interesting as possible and ideally productive along with it, I fancy trying to add in a few pear trees this year. I know there is likely to be issues with late frosts but we've always had plum trees so know how it goes from year to year.

 

My preference would be "Conference" and soil conditions should be spot on. Anyone any experience of them either managing or planting new and anything to look out for.

 

Thanks.

[Goaty]

I have a conference pear and its progeny concorde in my garden. Only young trees. The conference had scabby pears, 6ft away the concorde were fine:confused1:

 

Don't forget to check out pollination partners or you may have no pears!

[renewablejohn]

Best pears I have are grown on the North facing wall of the house. West wall reserved for Quince and Apple. South for Apricot although will have to be replaced as it had a disease.

 

Still waiting for the field pears to develop but only been 4 years so far. If I was doing the field ones again I would do as espalier so I could get the little holder up between the rows.

[agg221]

Concorde is excellent and reliable, just takes a bit longer to come into bearing. If you want them for cooking rather than just eating fresh, Catillac is worth a go. It keeps forever.

 

What type of location are you growing in - are they freestanding or close to other trees? If they have competition from other trees which will grow tall, I would go for pear rootstocks and accept that they will take a long time to crop. If not competing, I would go for Quince A to get stable, reasonable sized trees cropping in about 4yrs.

 

Alec

[Daveyboy]

Pear trees, because of their rootstocks can be enormous.

[wrsni]

What type of location are you growing in - are they freestanding or close to other trees? If they have competition from other trees which will grow tall, I would go for pear rootstocks and accept that they will take a long time to crop. If not competing, I would go for Quince A to get stable, reasonable sized trees cropping in about 4yrs.

 

Alec

 

They'll be close to other trees yes, but I've 8 acres to play with and many different combinations within that, especially given that it seems a southerly aspect is not necessary, so could find somewhere for them for example close to hazel or along a shrubby edge. Against that I'm in no hurry and might prefer to just plant "pure" pear and let them fit in with everything else over time. Which would be the most robust and by "take a long time to crop" what roughly are we talking about?

 

I thought of conference as (a) I like them, and (b) they're supposed to be self pollinators but would say half a dozen trees in eight acres be enough not to have to worry about fertilisation irrespective of type?

 

Thanks for all replies so far, very useful as ever.

[wills-mill]

The 'Pyrus' rootstock would give a massive, old fashioned size Pear tree. All the others are less of a handful and are more garden friendly.

 

I say go large, someone will thank you for a very sexy Pear sawlog in future.

 

W

[wrsni]

I say go large, someone will thank you for a very sexy Pear sawlog in future.

 

W

 

Doubtful, but nonetheless I'm thinking that's the way to go.

[agg221]

They'll be close to other trees yes, but I've 8 acres to play with and many different combinations within that, especially given that it seems a southerly aspect is not necessary, so could find somewhere for them for example close to hazel or along a shrubby edge. Against that I'm in no hurry and might prefer to just plant "pure" pear and let them fit in with everything else over time. Which would be the most robust and by "take a long time to crop" what roughly are we talking about?

 

I thought of conference as (a) I like them, and (b) they're supposed to be self pollinators but would say half a dozen trees in eight acres be enough not to have to worry about fertilisation irrespective of type?

 

Thanks for all replies so far, very useful as ever.

 

Although Conference is self fertile it still does better with pollinators. I would plant your half dozen trees as two groups of three, 30ft apart. One tree will produce as much fruit as you can use, and a lot more besides, so I would mix them up. Williams is a good bet for early, Catillac for a long keeping cooker. Beurre Hardy is also a good bet.

 

Keepers Nursery has a good selection on pear stock with reasonable descriptions but if there are any varieties which particularly appeal and you want more info then let me know as I have quite a bit of literature.

 

Alec

[wrsni]

Although Conference is self fertile it still does better with pollinators. I would plant your half dozen trees as two groups of three, 30ft apart.

 

Aye that would be OK. I'd probably have spread them out a bit more if I hadn't known so I'll pay heed to that.

 

As ever I'll probably end up being limited to some degree by what I can get over here or get sent over here although the young fella is at Myerscough and might be able to bring something back at Christmas.

 

Finally, are they best planted as just the standard 60-90 bare-rooted whips or what?