The one beautiful pear tree you planted will bloom in spring, perhaps, and then…nothing by summer. Why? Pears tend not to self-pollinate well. If you’ve only got one kind of pear, you might as well forget fruit. That’s true of the Summercrisp pear. It is a fine-tasting pear with great flesh, but you’ll have no luck unless other trees grows near it. Pick your partners wisely…and then wait for the fruit.
The trick is timing. Pollination occurs when bees travel from one variety to another to deposit their pollen. But how do they know where to go if one tree has already finished flowering by the time the other begin? This is why bloom groups are helpful; you don’t have to worry about mis-timing things. By the way, Summercrisp is in Bloom Group 3 (also known as late April or early May, depending on where you live). To prevent an out-of-sync situation, match it with other partner trees that will be in bloom during this period. Bartlett (a popular and trustworthy one) is a good pick, since it’s in the same bloom group. Also try Bosc, which does a nice job of pollinating and stretches the harvesting season into later months.
How to Grow Pears Successfully
So how do you select a neighbor? The date’s just part of it. Next, look at your climate zone and keep in mind that some standard varieties might not handle cold very well (USDA Zone 4 or 5). In those zones, try Flemish Beauty or Luscious, which has proven hardy to harsh winters. Plus: They’re compatible with the right timing and don’t risk winter. For best results, check the compatibility ratings in guides. Ideally, select ones rated good or excellent for compatibility.
Another key is that they do not have much of a commute. The bees like to travel short distances from tree to tree. To increase pollen transfer (and thereby get plenty of fruit), keep your pollinator trees within 50 feet of Summercrisp. Too great a distance, and there’s less bee traffic, which lead to poor production. This is also true for any variety. As long as you have bees visiting regularly (meaning they’re not too far away), it doesn’t matter if they’re in separate beds or in a grove together. Actually, bees should of find the right tree.
Once planted, it’s maintenance time. Pear trees wants to be in full sun, with well-drained soil. The canopy needs regular pruning to allow for good air and light circulation. This is important because pears are susceptible to fire blight, which can cause great damage in an orchard of pear tree. (Summercrisp is somewhat resistant to this, though.) Healthy trees are more able to fend off infection.
Pick the fruit while it is still green and firm. If you wait until they get soft on the tree, the texture of pears will be ruined because they tend to soften from the inside out. Pick them early, then let ripen at room temp for a crisp texture.
The secret to a good pear is not one great tree, but instead a balanced approach. Good partners, proper planting distance, and some routine maintenance is required. If done correctly, this method produces sweet, crunchy pears that taste better than those from a store. Invest time in planning now and get the benefits for years to come. The flowers will appear, the bees will do their part, and soon the fruit will ripen into a complete crop.