Core BLIMEY
There are 150 different types of pear… and if you want the fruity delivery next autumn, it’s time to get planting now
The origins of wild pear in Ireland is unclear but is most likely a wild variety of the closely related domestic pear, Pyrus communis, with records of cultivation in Ireland since the early 1600s.
Conference is probably the best known pear here, but it isn’t the only pear tree worth growing.
There are 150 different ones available, delivering their tasty goods from mid-August to October, depending on the variety.
Their fruit come in a remarkable number of shapes, colours and sizes, with equally varied flavours.
If you fancy raising your own pears, autumn is the ideal time to plant container-grown and bare-root trees, as roots will establish readily in warm, moist soil before the arrival of winter.
Mature specimens will provide fruit next year, while younger trees might take four years or more.
Pear trees are native to Central and Eastern Europe, along with parts of south-west Asia.
The fruit of the Pyrus communis is small, gritty and unpalatable, but many ancient civilisations developed trees with better fruit.
The Romans had 40 varieties in cultivation by 200AD.
In Roman mythology, pears were sacred to the goddess Venus, while the Greek poet Homer described them as ‘gifts from the gods’.
In ancient China, people considered pears a symbol of immortality and they were a popular motif in paintings and ceramics.
No one knows when pears arrived here. One thing we know for certain is that French varieties dominated orchards.
Many old Gallic varieties are still around, such as ‘Doyenne du Comice’ and ‘Louise Bonne of Jersey’.
There’s a misconception that pear trees are suitable only for those with large gardens. In fact, there are plants to suit every space.
Standard trees are ideal where there’s plenty of room, while cordons (singlestems), espaliers and fans can be grown against walls and fences in smaller gardens.
Another option is to grow a dwarf pear in a pot. Be aware that only a few pear trees are self-fertile, with the ability to produce fruit by themselves.
Most need to be grown near another variety to allow cross-pollination of flowers. And not all are compatible with each other, so ask suppliers to recommend varieties that can be grown together.
Pears prefer a sunny or partially shaded spot, with well-drained soil. For best results, select a sheltered place to prevent spring blossom from being damaged by frosts. Also, avoid any position that’s susceptible to strong winds, which are likely to displace pollen from flowers and deter bees and other pollinating insects.
Planting a container-grown pear tree is easy.
Start by digging a hole that’s about twice the diameter of the rootball and the same depth, then spike the sides and bottom of the hole with a garden fork to allow roots to penetrate.
Place the tree in the centre and fill the gaps with soil, firming down as you go to remove air pockets.
Bare-root trees should be planted at the same depth as they were growing before being lifted from the ground — there should be an obvious ‘tidemark’ of soil on the trunk. Dig a hole that’s twice the diameter of the root system and deep enough so the mark on the trunk lines up with the surface.
Younger trees can take four years to fruit