In Portland: Plant pear trees Mar 1 – Apr 26. In Bend: Apr 28 – Jun 23. Find your city below.
Difficulty
Easy
Sun
Full sun
Spacing
12 to 15 feet apart for dwarf trees, 18 to 20 feet for standard
Planting depth
Graft union 2 to 3 inches above the soil
Frost
Hardy perennial; comes back every year
First harvest
First pears in three to five years
One of the easiest fruit trees for west-side gardens. Plant two varieties that bloom together, and pick European pears while still hard, then ripen them indoors.
Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well, and mix in an inch or two of compost.
Plant pear trees on your city's dates, 12 to 15 feet apart for dwarf trees, 18 to 20 feet for standard. Graft union 2 to 3 inches above the soil.
Water deeply through the first two summers. Pears need little pruning; take out crossing branches in late winter and keep the center open.
Harvest: Pick European pears when they're full size and lift off easily but are still hard, then ripen them at room temperature. Asian pears ripen on the tree; pick when sweet and crisp.
Key numbers
3–5Years to fruit
Plant two varietiesPollination
Mature but still hardPick European pears
Pear scab, fire blightBiggest risk
Growing notes
What makes the difference in Northwest gardens, in plain language.
Choosing varieties that pollinate each other
Pears are some of the most forgiving fruit trees for west-side gardens: they tolerate heavy, damp soil better than most fruit trees and need little spraying. Most European pears need a second variety that blooms at the same time. Bartlett, Comice and Seckel can pollinate each other, though Bartlett and Seckel are a poor match. Asian pears like Shinseiki bloom early, but they often overlap enough with early European pears to help with pollination as well.
Choose a rootstock suited to your space. Dwarfing pear rootstocks still make fairly large trees, so leave room as guide spacing suggests.
Why European pears ripen off the tree
A European pear left on the tree ripens from the inside out and turns gritty or mushy at the core. Pick them when they reach full size and the stem snaps off with a gentle lift, while the flesh is still firm. Bartlett ripens at room temperature in about a week. Comice and Anjou-type pears ripen better after a few weeks in the refrigerator, then a few days on the counter. Check ripeness by pressing gently near the stem: when it gives, it's ready.
Pests and diseases in the Northwest
Pear scab works like apple scab and spreads from fallen leaves in wet springs, so rake leaves each fall. Fire blight is a bacterial disease that thrives in warm, humid weather during bloom; it's more common east of the Cascades. Prune out blackened shoots in dry weather, cutting 8 to 12 inches below the damage and wiping your shears with disinfectant between cuts.
West of the Cascades, pear trellis rust causes bright orange spots on leaves. It spends part of its life on junipers, so it's worse near juniper hedges, and it's mostly cosmetic.
Common questions about growing pear trees
Why are my pears gritty or brown in the middle?
They were left on the tree too long. European pears should be picked while still hard and ripened indoors. Pick when the fruit reaches full size and lifts off the branch easily.
Do I need two pear trees?
For most European pears, yes. Plant two varieties that bloom at the same time, such as Bartlett and Comice. A neighbor's pear tree nearby can also do the job.
How long can you store homegrown pears?
Bartlett keeps for a few weeks in the refrigerator, while Comice and other winter pears can keep for a couple of months. Bring them out a few days before you want to eat them so they can soften.
Rainline Garden
Apple trees
Plum trees
Cherry trees
Peach trees
Fig trees
Hazelnut trees