Pear Trees
Pears are related to Apples and have similar horticultural requirements. They prefer slightly warmer conditions than apples, but are generally less susceptible to common ailments.
A sunny, sheltered site in moisture retentive (but not water-logged) soil is required. Pears can also be trained as espaliers, cordons or stepovers – a south or south-west facing fence or wall is best.
Concorde
Sweet and juicy flesh, a compact variety but produces heavy crops.
Resistant to scab; slight resistance to canker.
Eat
Eat/cook
Sept
Pick
Yes
Self-fertile?
C4
Poll. Gp.
Conference
Probably the best all-rounder for Scotland. A reliable cropper with sweet and juicy fruit.
Recommended.
Eat
Eat/cook
Sept
Pick
Yes
Self-fertile?
C3
Poll. Gp.
Apple
Damson
Plum
Pear
Cherry
Gage
Invincible
Tough and hardy with frost resistant blossom, so ideal for cold and exposed areas.
Heavy cropping.
Eat/cook
Pick
Self-fertile?
Poll. Gp.
Eat/cook
Sept
Yes
C2
Notes
Trees are supplied bare rooted during their dormant season (usually from mid-November to the end of March depending on the weather). It is recommended that bare root trees are planted within a day or two of arrival but they may be stored for longer in a cool place or 'heeled' in to a mound or pot of compost until you are ready for planting. Don't allow the roots to dry out or freeze - wrap in hessian or other insulating material if necessary. Soak the roots before planting and water in well.
AGM - The Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps home gardeners make informed choices about plants. It is only awarded to a plant that meets the following criteria:
- Outstanding excellence for ordinary garden decoration or use
- Good constitution
- Does not require highly specialist growing conditions or care
- Not particularly susceptible to any pest or disease
Rootstocks
Very vigorous (Ultimate height ~4m) – m25
Semi-vigorous (Ultimate height 3 – 3.5m) – mm106,
Quince A, SJA, Colt (Wavit is midway between SJA and VVA-1)
Semi-dwarf (Ultimate 2.5 – 3m) – m26
Dwarf (Ultimate height 2 - 2.5m) - m9
Very dwarf (Ultimate height 1.5 - 2m) - m27
More dwarf (m9 and m26) rootstocks are suitable for cordoning
Specification
Maiden (mdn) – 1 yr old tree 1 to 2m in height; may be feathered depending on variety and root. A Knip is similar.
Bush (bush) - well formed head on a clean stem, 2 years old
Half Standard (hst) - Clear stem of 1m supporting a well branched head, 2-3 years old
Standard (std) - Clear stem of 1.75m supporting a well branched head, 2-3 years old
Cordon (cdn) - 2 year old trees with a trained central leader, spur pruned.
Pollination
You will need a tree (of a different variety) to cross-pollinate with, for those trees which are not self-fertile. The cross-pollinator should belong to a pollination group the same or either side of the tree to be pollinated (i.e. for a C1 you would need a C2; for a C2 a C1, C2 or C3 would be required). Triploid varieties (e.g. Bramley) require two pollinators.
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Bennybeg Plant Centre
Muthill Road, Crieff, Perthshire, PH7 4HN
Tel. 01764 656345
Bennybeg Plant Centre is an independent garden centre near
Crieff, Perthshire, run by people who are passionate about plants.
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