Pear
Pyrus communis
Zones
4a–8b
Chill hours
600 to 900
Sun
full
Lifespan
50 to 75 years
Growing pear
Detailed guidance for this section is being prepared. Check back soon.
Recommended varieties
- Bartlett. Sweet, juicy, classic dessert pear; ripens to a soft buttery melt-in-the-mouth texture. The standard for canning and fresh eating. Fire-blight susceptible. Zones 5a–7a.
- Magness. Very sweet, juicy, smooth melting flesh; an exceptional fresh-eating pear that rivals Bartlett in flavor with much better disease resistance. Self-unfruitful (needs pollinator). Zones 5a–7b. Resistant to fire-blight.
- Moonglow. Mild, sweet, soft and juicy when ripe; good fresh and for canning. Fire-blight resistant. Often planted as the pollinator for Magness. Zones 5b–8a. Resistant to fire-blight.
- Kieffer. Crisp, gritty, mildly sweet, yellow-skinned; a tough cooking and canning pear, not great fresh. Holds shape in preserves and pear butter. Productive in heat. Zones 5a–8b. Resistant to fire-blight.
Soil and site requirements
Detailed guidance for this section is being prepared. Check back soon.
Common diseases
- Fire Blight (bacterial). Devastating bacterial disease that can kill trees rapidly. Most severe in warm wet springs.
- Pear Scab (fungal). Fungal disease similar to apple scab but specific to pear, causing leaf and fruit lesions.
Common pests
- Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella). The most damaging pest of apple worldwide. Larvae tunnel into developing fruit, ruining the crop.
- Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys). Invasive stink bug from Asia that pierces fruit, causing corky tissue and surface dimpling.
- Pear Psylla (Cacopsylla pyricola). Pear's primary pest, sucking sap and producing honeydew that supports sooty mold.
Common challenges
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Grafting and rootstocks
- Bartlett on Pyrus betulifolia · standard, 20–30 ft.
- Magness on OHxF 87 · semi-dwarf, 12–15 ft.
- Kieffer on Pyrus calleryana · standard, 20–30 ft.
Companion plants
- fennel (antagonistic): Fennel inhibits the growth of most fruit trees through root exudates.
- borage (beneficial): Borage attracts pollinators and predatory insects, supporting pear fruit set and pest control.
- clover (beneficial): Clover groundcover fixes nitrogen and supports pollinator activity during pear bloom.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
- What zones does pear grow in?
Pear grows in USDA zones 4a through 8b.
- How many chill hours does pear need?
Pear requires approximately 600 to 900 chill hours below 45°F to break dormancy properly.
- How long until pear produces?
Days to harvest range from 115 to 165 days after bloom, depending on variety and zone.
- What sun and water does pear need?
Pear prefers full sun and moderate water. Lifespan is typically 50 to 75 years.