The first pear tree was planted in America in 1620’s. It was believed that pear was food for the Stone Age people. There are more than 3000 varieties of pear available across the world. Pear trees are the most desired and the easiest tree to grow in somebody’s backyard. Pear trees can be edible and also non-edible. It can live over 90 to 100 years. But there are replaced to orchards within 30-40 years.
Pears are grown at coastal and mildly temperate regions of the Old World, from Western Europe and North Africa to right across Asia. Most pears trees are deciduous and some species growing in Southeast Asia are evergreen. The flowers are mainly white in color but some of them are rarely tinted yellow or pink. The sizes of the flowers are 2–4 cm in diameter and they have five petals. The fruit shape differs across the world, but in Europe the classic shape is that of an oval with a bulbous end. The fruit is composed of the receptacle or upper end of the flower-stalk, greatly dilated. Enclosed within its cellular flesh is the true fruit: five cartilaginous carpels, known colloquially as the “core”.
Pear trees are deep rooted tree. As such they suit a light, sandy soil. Many pear cuttings are grafted onto quince trees, which are shallower, rooted. Pear trees are suited to grow in large pots and damp, clay soils. Pear trees can be grown in as espalier trees against a wall or trellis. They are generally planted in autumn and they need to be placed roughly 10m apart and dwarf trees can be kept 6m apart. They need to be placed in a sunny position in well-drained, rich soil. The pear is very similar to the apple in cultivation, propagation and pollination. The pear and the apple are also related to the quince. Pears and apples cannot always be distinguished by the form of the fruit. Some pears look very much like some apples. One major difference is that the flesh of pear fruit contains stone cells (also called “grit”). Pear trees and apple trees do have several visible differences. There are also several varieties of pears like Concorde, Conference, and Worcester Black.
Pears trees need a location having good circulation and the ground is slightly elevated and slanting. This is because the trees bloom early and the flowers may be damaged in the spring by frosty air, which settles in low-lying areas. Pears should be grown in heavier soil types. Pear trees will not survive on ground that is saturated with water. Pear trees may be planted in the fall in mild climates or the spring in cooler ones.
Pear trees are less susceptible to pests and disease than many other fruit trees. Pears are one of the easiest fruit trees to grow, and they taste great as well. Pears are also a good source of dietary fiber and a good source of vitamin C. Pears also offer potassium.
