Conference
The standard UK pear for reliable cropping and good flavour. It stores well and suits most gardens.
When to plant Pears in Bristol
Pyrus communis
A hardy fruit tree for UK gardens, usually planted bare-root while dormant. It does best in full sun, in fertile, well-drained soil, with steady watering while it establishes and winter pruning to keep the crown open.
600 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water
Calibrated to Bristol · last frost ≈ 19 Apr
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvest | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Growing guide
What to do through the growing season
Growing guide for
Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.
Use this guide once the tree is settled and cropping. It suits most garden pears grown in the ground, with light pruning and seasonal harvest care.
01
Thin Fruitlets
3 Jun to 18 JunAround 3rd June - 18th June, thin clustered fruitlets after the natural drop. Space the remaining fruit so the branches carry a manageable crop and the pears size up properly.
02
Harvest Pears
18 Sept to 2 NovHarvest from 18th September to 2nd November once the fruit comes away with a gentle twist. Pick in stages, because pears are often ready over several passes rather than all at once.
03
Winter Prune
19 Jan to 5 MarPrune during 19th January - 5th March while the tree is dormant. Remove congested growth, shorten whippy leaders if needed, and keep the framework open so light reaches the fruiting wood.
Suggested varieties
Popular varieties of Pear to consider
Williams' Bon Chrétien
A well-known early pear with a juicy, aromatic flavour. Best eaten soon after picking.
Doyenné du Comice
A rich dessert pear with excellent flavour. It prefers a warm, sheltered site and can be a bit fussier than Conference.
Concorde
A compact, modern dessert pear with a good flavour and reliable cropping. Often a sensible choice for smaller gardens.
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Pear guides by town
See how Pear timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.