Pear trees can thrive in Minnesota with the right variety and care. At Applewood Nursery & Landscape Supply, we recommend selecting cold-hardy varieties that are well-suited to our climate and offer a range of flavors and textures. It is important to note that pears are generally not self-pollinating and require cross-pollination with a different variety of pear tree that blooms at the same time.
To Ensure Successful Pollination
Planting: Choose two or more different pear varieties that bloom at the same time or have overlapping bloom periods.
Pollinator Trees: Alternatively, you can plant a compatible pollinator tree nearby. Some pear varieties can also cross-pollinate with certain apple varieties.
Choosing the Right Pear Variety
Parker Pear
The Parker pear variety is prized for its large, golden-yellow fruit with a smooth texture and sweet flavor. It is an excellent choice for fresh eating and canning. This tree gets to be about 18 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet.
Luscious Pear
The Luscious pear variety produces medium to large fruit with a smooth, juicy texture and a rich, sweet flavor. It is known for its excellent fresh-eating qualities. This tree will grow to be about 45 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 feet.
Summercrisp Pear
The Summercrisp pear variety, also known as ‘Summercrisp’ or ‘Harvest Queen’, produces medium-sized fruit with a crisp, juicy texture. It has a mild, sweet flavor and is ideal for fresh eating and cooking. This tree will grow to be about 25 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet.
Ure Pear
Ure pear variety is known for its small to medium-sized fruit with a greenish-yellow skin. It has a firm texture and a slightly tart flavor, making it suitable for fresh eating and cooking. This tree will grow to be about 25 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 25 feet.
Golden Spice Pear
Golden Spice pear variety is unique for its small, golden-yellow fruit with a spicy, aromatic flavor. It is excellent for fresh eating and adding a distinct flavor to preserves and desserts. This tree will grow to be about 30 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 25 feet.
Planting and Location
Planting: Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil. Pear trees prefer slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0-7.0).
Spacing: Plant trees 15-20 feet apart to allow for proper air circulation and space.
Pollination: Ensure you have compatible varieties or use a pollinator tree nearby.
Pruning and Training
Pruning: Prune in late winter to early spring to shape the tree and improve airflow. Remove dead or diseased branches and thin out crowded areas. Consult one of our experts at Applewood Nursery & Landscape Supply if you have questions on how to do this.
Training: Train young trees to a central leader or modified central leader system for strong, balanced growth. This involves selecting a main, upright stem as the central leader and pruning competing branches to encourage a sturdy framework that supports the weight of future fruit and facilitates optimal sunlight exposure throughout the tree.
Watering and Fertilizing
Watering: Provide regular watering, especially when you first plant and especially during dry periods. Deep watering is preferable to shallow, frequent watering. The best time to water is in the early morning.
Fertilizing: Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they can promote excessive vegetative growth at the expense of fruit production.
Disease Management
Common Diseases: Watch for fire blight, pear scab, and powdery mildew, which are prevalent in pear trees. Fire blight, caused by bacteria, affects blossoms, shoots, and branches, often leading to blackened, scorched-looking foliage and cankers on branches. Pear scab, a fungal disease, appears as dark spots on leaves and fruit, affecting overall tree health and fruit quality. Powdery mildew, another fungal infection, presents as a powdery white coating on leaves and shoots, hindering photosynthesis and weakening the tree’s vigor.
Treatment: Regular monitoring, prompt pruning of infected parts, and application of appropriate fungicides can help manage these diseases effectively, ensuring healthier pear trees and better harvests. Be sure to prune out infected branches promptly. Apply fungicides as directed during periods of high disease pressure.
Harvesting and Using Pears
Harvest Time: Each season mature trees typically produce their fruit in the late summer to early fall, depending on the variety. Trees start to produce mature fruit within 3-5 years after planting. Peak production for pear trees is when the tree is around 5-7 years old.
Culinary Uses: Pears are versatile for eating fresh, baking, canning, and making preserves. They pair well with cheeses and in salads.
Preserving Pears
Storage: You can leave ripe pears on the counter for a couple of days, but they will last longer to store in the refrigerator. For longer storage, consider canning or freezing.
Canning: You can preserve pears by canning them in light or heavy syrup, which helps maintain their flavor and texture over time. Additionally, spiced pear preserves can be made by simmering pears with cinnamon, cloves, and sugar, creating a delightful spread for toast, or pairing with cheeses.
Freezing: Peel and slice pears before freezing for use in pies, sauces, or smoothies. This preserves their freshness and makes them readily available for cooking and blending into delicious recipes throughout the year.
Deer & Pest Resistance
Deer Tolerance: While no plant is completely deer-proof, pears are less preferred by deer compared to other fruit trees. Protect young trees with fencing if deer are a concern. Applewood Nursery & Landscape Supply sells materials that can protect trees from deer and other pests.
Pests: Pear trees can be susceptible to pests such as pear psylla, aphids, and pear rust. Monitor your trees regularly and treat with appropriate insecticides or horticultural oils as needed to keep ahead of any problems.
Additional Pear Tree Growing Tips
Mulching: Apply mulch around the base of the tree to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Winter Protection: Protect young trees from harsh winter conditions with tree wraps or burlap.
By choosing specific pear varieties like Parker, Luscious, Summercrisp, Ure, and Golden Spice, tailored to your preferences and local growing conditions, you can enjoy a successful pear harvest year after year in your Minnesota garden.