How to Grow a Pear Tree—a Low-Maintenance Fruit Tree You Can Plant in the Fall

Pear trees are a charming addition to any garden, and are renowned for their sweet fruit and stunning seasonal displays. During the spring, they showcase beautiful, fragrant blossoms that attract pollinators. Summer brings lush green foliage, while autumn turns their leaves gold and crimson. Even in winter, their unique, gnarled branches add elegance to the landscape.

These resilient plants are also one of the easiest and most low-maintenance fruit trees to grow. For best results, follow these expert-backed tips and tricks, and you'll be enjoying delicious pears in no time.

When to Plant

The ideal times to plant a pear tree are early spring or late fall, according to Holly Simpson Baldwin, co-owner of The Farm Between.

She explains that their root system thrives in cooler temperatures and benefits from the increased moisture in the soil that comes with seasonal rainfall. While it is possible to plant in the summer, they require more attention during this time, including daily watering.

When planting a pear tree, it’s essential to select a variety that's best suited for your specific hardiness zone—so do your research beforehand. This will ensure optimal growing conditions.

How to Plant

Once you’ve selected the best variety for your region, it’s time to plant. Follow Baldwin’s simple steps to ensure your pear tree has a smooth transition to its new home.

1. Find a sunny spot: Select a site that receives full sun and has well-drained soil. A healthy pear tree needs at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
2. Dig a hole: When preparing to plant, dig a hole that's roughly the same depth as the pot or root system, and make it twice as wide. This will help ensure there's enough space for the roots to expand and grow.
3. Loosen and amend the soil: Loosen the soil around the bottom and the sides of the hole to aerate it, and mix in compost or manure.
4. Plant the tree: Gently place the tree in the hole, ensuring it remains straight, and then fill the space around the root ball with the soil removed from the hole.
5. Water well: Water the pear tree slowly with at least 5 gallons of water to begin. Water every few days, or daily if the season is dry.
6. Top dress: Apply a top dressing of compost or manure, adding a 2-inch layer around the drip line, starting a few inches from the tree. Organic NPK fertilizer can be added if desired.
7. Add protection: Add fencing if deer are a problem. Additionally, consider adding a screen or plastic guard around the base of the tree to prevent rodent damage, especially prior to winter.

Care Instructions

Pear trees thrive when they receive the proper care. Here’s how to ensure that their sunlight, soil, and water needs are all met.

Sunlight

Full sun exposure is crucial for producing the sweetest and most abundant fruits. Aim for 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.

Soil

Pears thrive in nutrient-rich, well-draining, loamy soil that's slightly acidic, with a pH of 5.9 to 6.5. A soil test will ensure that you're providing your soil with the necessary nutrients.

Water

Pear trees need at least 1 inch of water per week, applied slowly and deeply. To achieve this, let your garden hose trickle gently.

Temperature

Pear trees need between 400 and 800 hours of cold temperatures (between 32 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit) to produce fruit, depending on the specific type of pear.

Fertilizer

Pear trees require fertilizer when they are young and when the soil lacks essential nutrients. For young trees, a balanced fertilizer should be applied monthly from spring to late summer to promote healthy growth. It's best to fertilize mature pear trees once a year in early spring.

How to Prune

Pruning enhances yields and supports the health of a pear tree. While dead and diseased branches can be pruned at any time, it’s usually best to wait until late winter or early spring to prune.

Katie Brines, a specialist with Stark Bro’s Nurseries & Orchards Co., recommends doing heavy pruning on pear trees during the dormant season, which is typically late winter to early spring. "[Ideally] after the coldest part of winter has passed, but before bud break," she says.

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Establish a Central Leader

Identify the strongest upright branch that will function as the central leader. The goal is to create a pyramidal shape with a single upright leader limb as the tree's highest point.

Remove any competing shoots to allow the central leader to grow freely without competition—look for upright shoots that are similar in size to the central leader. Cut these competing shoots at the base.

Select Scaffold Branches

Select three to five sturdy branches that radiate outward (north, south, east, and west) to create the tree's framework. Remove any surrounding branches that compete with or hinder the chosen scaffold branches.

Remove Dead, Diseased, and Damaged Wood

Remove dead or diseased branches. Disinfect your garden tools between cuts to prevent the spread of disease.

Eliminate Crossing Branches

After removing any dead or diseased wood, check for branches that are rubbing against each other or crossing over one another. Removing these will open up the canopy, allowing for better airflow and sunlight penetration.

How to Propagate

Propagating pear trees from cuttings is a simple process that yields a new pear tree at no cost.

In late spring or fall, choose a healthy shoot from the current year that's free from disease and approximately 8 to 10 inches long. Using clean, sharp pruning shears, cut below a leaf node. Remove the lower leaves from the cutting and dip the end into rooting hormone. Then, plant it in a pot filled with soilless potting mix, such as perlite or coco coir.

To create a humid environment, cover the pot with a plastic bag. Place the pot in a sunny area that receives bright, indirect sunlight, and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.  After a few months, roots will develop, and you can safely transplant your new pear tree into your home garden.