Unlike other fruit trees, thepear treegrows in a conical shape, similar to a spruce tree.
Available in standard and dwarf height varieties, Bartlettpear treescan reach a mature height of up to 30 feet.
Bartlett pears are non-toxic to humans and pets, but the seeds contain cyanide.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Never feed your pet pear seeds.
Bare-root trees should be planted when dormant during the winter.
If planting seeds, sow several seeds into growing pots to produce saplings before transplanting them into the ground.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
This method is better than direct sowing since you might choose the healthiest saplings.
Selecting a Planting Site
Pear trees require a full-sun location.
Although, Barletts can also grow well in soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Ensure the soil acclimates at least 6 to 12 months before planting.
Dwarf tree varieties can be 12 to 75 feet apart.
They should be far enough away so the roots are not competing for water and soil nutrients.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
When sowing seeds, plant the seeds about 1 inch deep.
Plant only one seed per pot.
Place the pot in a sunny spot and ensure the soil remains moist.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Choose a location where these trees will get six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily.
Soil
These fruit trees are sensitive to dry conditions and salt in the soil.
They require moist, well-draining, heavy soils.
Soil pH levels should be slightly acidic.
Water
Bartlett pear trees need regular watering to remain healthy and produce juicy fruit.
Plan to irrigate these trees every week.
Temperature and Humidity
Bartlett pears can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 7.
They require cold winters and must experience around 800 hours of chill hours.
Fertilizer
Yearly fertilizing will keep the Bartlett pear tree strong and produce plenty of fruit.
It is best to give fertilizer in the spring.
A well-balanced, slow-releasefertilizerformulated explicitly for fruit trees is ideal.
Beware of too much fertilizer, which will encourage the tree to grow more foliage than fruit.
Compatible pear trees for cross-pollination with Bartletts include D’Anjou, Bosc, and Comice.
Types of Bartlett Pear Trees
Bartlett pears are green when forming and yellow when ripe.
A red variety is also famous for its sweet fruit.
However, Bartletts turn yellow when they’re ripe.
Bartletts are in season sooner than D’Anjous, which often replace Bartletts on supermarket shelves in winter.
Also, a Bartlett is more bell-shaped, while a D’Anjou appears more egg-shaped.
Harvesting
Pears need to ripen off the tree; otherwise, they go mushy.
Pick pears when they are mature.
They will feel firm to the touch.
Color is not a good indicator.
The technique to tell if it’s ready for picking is turning the pear horizontally, about 90 degrees.
If the pear comes easily off the branch, it’s ready.
Give it more time if it’s still firmly held onto the branch.
Most pears will ripen within one week of being picked when kept at room temperature.
To speed up the process, put the fruit into a paper bag and include a banana.
However, you will need a self-fertile variety to bear fruits or have another cross-pollinating species growing nearby.
Pollinators will need to visit the trees, or you will have to hand-pollinate.
Note that trees grown in containers will not produce as many fruits as in-ground trees.
The pot should have ample drainage holes.
Use a high-quality potting mix.
Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Do not cover the crown of the tree.
Place the tree in a full-sun location, with at least six hours of sun daily.
Start pruning the first year that the tree is planted.
Propagating Bartlett Pear Trees
Propagating Bartlett pear trees can be done through cuttings.
This method will work with softwood cuttings and semi-hardwood cuttings.
Softwood cuttings are taken in the spring or early summer.
These are easier to root than semi-hardwood cuttings but tend to dry out more readily.
Semi-hardwood cuttings are taken in late summer to early fall when new growth begins to harden.
These do not root as quickly as softwood cuttings but do not dry out as easily.
However, it is still a viable option with great rewards.
Therefore, very little attention is needed for these trees to survive a cold winter.
Add a layer of mulch around the tree’s base to help insulate the roots.
Common Pests & Diseases
Bartlett pears are generally problem-free.
Fungi can also cause leaf spots, attacking leaves, fruit, and twigs of pear.
Remove and burn infected parts.
Pear decline is a disease resulting from tiny, sap-sucking insects called psylla.
Symptoms include rolled leaves, leaf drop, poor fruiting, and general failure to thrive.
How Long Do Bartlett Pear Trees Bloom?
The blooms give way to leaf production.
What do Bartlett Pear Tree Flowers Look and Smell Like?
The flowers produce a mild, sweet fragrance.
Maintain a regular pruning schedule to ensure sunlight shines through the trees canopy.
In addition, maintain a regular watering schedule during the growing season.
Pale Green or Yellow Leaves
Throughout the summer, Bartlett pear trees should have rich green foliage.
If the leaves appear pale or yellowish, this indicates inadequate nutrients.
It is best to give additional fertilizer the following spring rather than add it later in the year.
Add more slow-release fertilizer the next spring.
No Blooms
Sometimes, Bartlett pear trees may not bloom.
This may occur for a variety of reasons.
These include insufficient sunlight and water, too much fertilizer, and improper pruning.
Ensure your tree receives six to eight hours of sunlight daily.
Remove any nearby branches that may be shading the tree.
Water weekly to keep the tree quenched.
Fertilize in the spring.
Pruning is essential, but do not prune the tree too severely.
This can hinder bloom production.
Mealy Pears
When fruits appear, wait until the fruit is mature but still unripe to pick.
If the fruits are left on the tree, they may become too soft and have a mealy texture.
A Bartlett pear tree usually yields its first crop within 3 to 10 years.
Bartlett pear trees have been known to continue producing fruit for over 100 years.
Bartlett pear trees come inself-pollinatingand cross-pollinating varieties.
Bartlett pear trees are considered a fast-growing species of fruit tree.
Can Dogs Eat Pears?
Akc.Org, American Kennel Club, 30 Aug. 2016, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-pears/.
The Importance of Chill Hours for Fruit Trees.
University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Learn About Bartlett Pear.
