Pears are a fruit in the rose family that are closely related to apples. They originated in Europe and Asia and have been cultivated for over 5,000 years. Pears grow on trees that require full sun, fertile soil, and regular pruning and watering. Pear trees bear fruit within 3 years and can remain productive for over 75 years. The US grows most of its pears in Oregon and Washington, producing over $380 million worth annually.

1. PEARS
By: Kayla Barbour

2. Background: Pyrus communis L.
● Dicot of Rosaceae family
● “Cousin” of the apple, plum, peach,
apricot, almond, cherry, raspberry
● A mild, sweet fruit that’s a delicious
source of Fiber, Potassium, Antioxidants,
Flavonoids, Vitamins C, K and Copper

3. Origins of the Pear
● Wild species originated in Central & Eastern
Europe, Southwest Asia, and the Middle
East
● Oldest cultivation sites are found in France
dating to the Neolithic & Bronze Ages, and
China dating back ~5,000+ years
● Proclaimed a “A Gift of the Gods” by Homer

4. Soil Requirements & Fertility
● Requires full sun and fertile, well-
drained soil. Prefers silty loam
although tolerant of wet, heavy soils
● PH of 6.0 and 6.5 is ideal, although
tolerant of ranges from 5.0 to 7.5
● Most require cross pollination,
so plant 2+ compatible varieties
● Fertilize lightly in early spring of 2nd
year & succeeding years ~2 weeks
before bloom - use sparingly
● Monitor levels of Nitrogen & Ammonia

5. Planting & Care
● Plant in any fertile, well-drained soil in full sun in a place with good air circulation in
winter or early spring.
● Dig a hole that is a few inches deeper and wider than the spread of the roots. Set
the tree on top of a small mound of soil in the middle of the hole- spread the roots
away from the trunk without breaking. Do not add fertilizer or topsoil to the hole.
● Space standard-size trees 20 to 25 feet apart; dwarf trees 12 to 15 feet apart.
● Prune regularly and train branches to grow laterally
● Water regularly

6. Life Cycle & Fruition
● Pear trees produce fruit ~3 years after planting, full
crop in 5-7 years; can produce fruit for +75 years -
one of the longest living perennial fruit trees!
● Plant trees in November & Harvest around August
● Pick when mature but unripe; Bletting process used
● Pears ship & store well if cooled
● Harvested pears can be eaten fresh or stored by:
canning, dehydration, freezing, making jelly/butter,
fermenting into wine or non-alcoholic juice

7. Pests & Diseases
● Very Susceptible to Pests:
Codling moth, Mites, Pear Psylla (looks like a
small cicada), Lepidoptera caterpillars
→ Treated with Sanitation, Insecticide Sprays, Burning
● Susceptible to 100+ Diseases: Fire Blight,
Pear Decline, Powdery Mildew
→ Treated with Dormant Oil Sprays, Fungicides
● Animals like Squirrels, Deer, Birds, and
Rabbits love pears too!

8. Breeding & Current Research
● 2015 WSU Pear Rootstock Breeding Program
 3 year program ending soon
● Arctic Apple, 2015 - 2017
 Others still in development
● 3000+ species found worldwide
● ~42 cultivars of the European pear
● ~10 species of pears grown in US

9. Commercial Use
● 5th most widely produced fruit worldwide
● Global Demand is increasing but production is decreasing
● Commercially grown mostly in Europe, China, United States
● 95% of all US pears are grown in Oregon & Washington (4 species)

10. Commercial Significance in US
● 46,300 Acres in Production;
35,200 acres in Pacific Northwest
● 2016 value of US pear crop was
$381,840,000
● 2016/2017 Fresh Pear Production was
18,179,000 lbs

11. ● http://homeguides.sfgate.com/soil-ph-pears-73650.html
● https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/pear/pear-tree-
lifespan.htm
● http://usapears.org/history-of-pears/
● https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pear_diseases
● http://nwhort.org/industry-facts/pear-fact-sheet/
● http://homeguides.sfgate.com/long-grow-pears-79479.html
● https://www.almanac.com/plant/pears
● https://www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/pears-ready-to-harvest
● https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/285430.php
Sources
● http://homeguides.sfgate.com/soil-ph-pears-73650.html
● https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/pear/pear-tree-lifespan.htm
● http://usapears.org/history-of-pears/
● https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pear_diseases
● http://nwhort.org/industry-facts/pear-fact-sheet/
● http://homeguides.sfgate.com/long-grow-pears-79479.html
● https://www.almanac.com/plant/pears
● https://www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/pears-ready-to-harvest
● https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/285430.php