How to Plant a Pear Tree
Plant your favorite variety in late fall or very early spring for optimum growing results and better fruiting. In the fall, root systems settle in and gain early establishment when the ground begins to thaw in spring. Pear trees need full sun to develop fruit and fertile, well-drained soil. Plant trees far enough apart to give them room to mature into full height – about 20 to 25 feet (7 meters). Proper spacing allows for good circulation through leaves for tree health and makes it easier for pruning and fruit picking. Planting two compatible varieties allows for cross pollination and fruit bearing.
Common Pear Tree Varieties
Anjou
A popular choice for baking with a mild sweet taste. The Anjou stores very well over winter at temperatures just above freezing. They are light green on the tree and yellow when ripe.
Bartlett
The most common pear grown in BC, the Bartlett is a favourite for canning because they keep all their flavour after heating. Bartlett pears taste sweet and buttery.
Bosc
Pears of this variety are a soft russet in colour. They remain firm during cooking and present a full-bodied flavour delicious straight off the tree, in baked deserts and sauces.
Dwarf pear trees are available that plant easily into large containers and grow conically to about 8 feet (2.5 meters) tall. After harvest, they can be moved into wind protected areas with the use of a dolly or hand truck to keep them safe from deep freeze or snow loads that break branches. The Dwarf Bartlett Pear produces large juicy fruit, rich in flavour with fruit ripening in late September to early October.
Call us for more information on pear trees – planting, pruning and general maintenance.
Did you know?
Unlike most fruits, pears do not ripen on the tree. After picking, give them time for the sugars to develop in the fruit. You can tell the pear is ripe by gently pressing your finger into the top of the pear near the stem. If it gives way a little, then the fruit is ripe and ready for eating. To help with ripening, place your pears in a brown paper bag at room temperature, and here’s a trick – place an apple in the bag to speed up the process.
Contact Us
Call one of our arborists in Kamloops, Sechelt/Gibsons or the Fraser Valley for professional help with your trees. We offer a full list of tree services beyond fruit tree planting and pruning including landscaping and hazardous tree removal. Our team is down to earth, and we really don’t mind getting dirt under our nails to get the job done. We look forward to serving you.
Further Reading: The Benefits of Fall Tree Planting