When to plant pear trees

Autumn to spring, while the tree is dormant

The RHS says the best time to plant a pear tree is while it's dormant, from autumn to spring. Avoid planting in hot, dry weather, or when the ground is frozen or waterlogged.

Another RHS page, on pear facts and figures, says the same: autumn to spring is the best time to plant pears.

The RHS does not give months, so the chart above shows the seasons as approximate months.

Bare-root or in a container?

You can buy pear trees two ways, and they differ in when you can get them.

Bare-root trees have been lifted from the ground while dormant, with little or no soil around their roots, the RHS says. They are generally cheaper than trees in containers, but are only available in winter and early spring. Stand a bare-root tree in a bucket of water for half an hour before planting.

Container-grown trees are available all year round, the RHS says, and can be planted at other times, though autumn to early spring is preferable. Give a container tree a good watering before planting.

The RHS says a pear tree is a long-term investment, so buy from a reputable specialist nursery or garden centre. Fruit tree nurseries offer the widest choice of varieties.

Where to plant: sun, shelter and no late frost

The RHS plants pears in a sunny, sheltered spot, either open ground such as a lawn, or against a wall or fence.

Avoid planting in a spot prone to late frosts. Frost can damage the flowers, and the RHS says that as pears flower significantly earlier than apples, they are at a greater risk.

The RHS pear facts page adds two more points. Avoid shallow soils over chalk. On exposed sites, use a windbreak while the tree gets established.

Rootstocks: how big will the tree get?

Pears grown on their own roots can reach 6 m or more, the RHS says. That is why they are grafted onto quince rootstocks.

Quince A is semi-vigorous. Trees reach 3–4.5 m and it suits espaliers.

Quince C and Quince Eline are dwarfing. Trees reach 2.5–3 m. They suit small gardens, cordons and containers, and fruit slightly sooner than Quince A. For a pear in a container, the RHS chooses one of these two.

For a trained tree, such as an espalier or fan, decide whether you want to train it yourself from scratch. If so, the RHS starts with a one-year-old tree (a "maiden"). For a head start, it chooses a tree with several well-placed shoots growing from the central stem, or buys a partly trained tree from a specialist nursery.

Pollination

Most pears need a compatible pollinator, the RHS says. It can be a pear tree in a nearby garden, or a second variety you plant. Otherwise, choose a self-fertile or partly self-fertile variety.

The RHS pear facts page suggests asking a neighbour to plant a second tree, so you can share the harvest.

Spacing

The RHS spacings depend on the rootstock and the tree's shape. Free-standing trees go 3.5–5.5 m apart on Quince A and 2.5–3.5 m apart on Quince C or Eline. Espaliers and fans need at least 3.6 m. Cordons go about 75 cm apart.

Plant trained trees about 30 cm from the base of the wall, with the horizontal wires fixed in place before you plant.

How to plant and stake

The RHS says no soil preparation is generally needed before planting. If your soil is poor, dig a bucketful of organic matter into the soil you removed from the hole, then use it to backfill.

Support free-standing trees with tree stakes, putting them in place at planting time, the RHS says.

Watering and mulching for the first years

Water newly planted trees regularly in dry spells for the first couple of years, the RHS says. Water early in the morning or late in the evening, ideally with stored rainwater. Established trees in the ground usually need no watering, except in very dry spells while the fruit is swelling.

Each spring, the RHS spreads a thick layer of organic matter, such as garden compost or well-rotted manure, around the tree. Leave a small circle around the trunk clear to prevent rot. The pear facts page mulches newly planted trees in spring and autumn for the first three or four years.

Pruning a new tree

The RHS says to start pruning newly planted trees straight away. Free-standing trees are pruned in winter, trained trees in late summer. Our apple tree pruning guide covers the RHS winter pruning method for free-standing trees.