Common Pear

Common pear is the fruit tree that performs more reliably in Western Washington than almost any other, the white flower display in April is beautiful, and the fruit that ripens from August through October, depending on variety, is consistently good in our climate. Unlike peaches and apricots, pear does not need summer heat to produce quality fruit. The tree grows twenty to thirty feet with an upright, pyramidal form. Native to Europe and western Asia, it has been cultivated for thousands of years.

In Western Washington, pear is one of the easiest fruit trees to grow. 'Bartlett,' 'D'Anjou,' and 'Bosc' are among the most reliable varieties. Most pears need a compatible pollinator variety. The primary disease concern is fire blight, a bacterial infection that causes branches to blacken and curl as if scorched by fire. Prune out infected wood at least twelve inches below the visible damage, sterilize pruners between cuts, and do it during dry weather. Codling moth affects the fruit. Several other diseases and pests are tracked. For a productive, regionally adapted fruit tree that provides spring flowers and dependable autumn harvest, pear is the cornerstone of the Western Washington home orchard.