Organic Pear Tree Pollinator Duo for a Spread Out Harvest

The Organic Pear Pollinator Duo allows for an abundant pear harvest, spanning from mid-August to October. The William's Pear, self-fertile, is an excellent pollinator for all other pear trees and specifically for the Comice Pear which will in turn pollinate it. Both are excellent fruit trees for family gardens and organic management, as they require minimal treatments and maintenance under good growing conditions. Here they are offered as bare-root plants in whip form (a thick unbranched stem) from Organic Agriculture, to be planted upon receipt, preferably in autumn. They can be trained as bush, espalier, or any other desired form.

This Duo consists of:

-x1 William's Pear: a highly adaptable variety with easy cultivation, renowned for the excellent taste quality of its large pears and their storage ability. Its fruits, yellow when ripe, sometimes speckled with russet, offer a fine, juicy, melting, sweet, and fragrant flesh, remarkably aromatic. Fairly large, with a diameter of about 7 cm, round and stout, they can be picked as early as August and keep well until November either in a ventilated cellar or in the refrigerator.

- x1 Comice Pear: a vigorous variety, slow to fruit, with average and sometimes irregular production, subject to alternation. Pollination by the William's Pear enhances the yield. The tree produces large pears of excellent taste quality. Its fruits, golden yellow tinged with red in sunlight and speckled brown when ripe, reveal a pale, sweet, fragrant, melting, and juicy flesh. Harvest takes place in September and October. The fruits keep well in cool conditions until December, but their thin skin makes them sensitive to handling. Self-sterile, this pear tree is a good pollinator for other varieties.

Individually labelled.

While not frost-hardy, the Pear tree will still appreciate sheltered and sunny locations; avoid frosty and windy spots. It likes fresh and deep soils, but dislikes overly sandy and calcareous soils. In winter, provide it with a handful of wood ash rich in potash to improve flowering and fruit quality.
Its upright growth imparts a tall and slender, very harmonious silhouette. Its oval leaves, finely toothed at the edges, have a petiole as long as the blade and measure about 8 to 9 cm. They turn yellow before falling in autumn.
Its late white blossom in April shields it from frosts. Its flowers consist of 5 white petals and are highly visited by bees.

Designed for organic management, Pear tree cultivation will thrive under certain conditions. To prevent diseases and pests, you should:

- choose a deep, light, rich, and well-draining soil, well prepared;
- avoid planting in a location previously hosting other woody plants,
- prune to promote tree aeration,
- thin out to prevent fruit diseases,
- apply compost in autumn, in limited quantity based on your soil's richness, and incorporate it into the soil,
- set up multi-species hedges (except prunus), stone and wood piles, and nest boxes (for birds, voles, and bats) to attract beneficial insects.

In case of diseases, removing and burning affected parts will be necessary. The William's Pear is susceptible to scab but not very to Fire Blight, and fairly resistant to Pear Rust and Pseudomonas syringae. In case of scab attacks, consider spraying Bordeaux mixture at half-strength.

Pears are enjoyed fresh, in syrup, in pastries, as jams and compotes, and for making spirits, ...

For transport reasons, our tallest whips may be pruned before shipping. They are suitable for all common training forms: cordons, espaliers, bushes, half-standards, and low standards, except for high standards. If you would like more information or advice on training your fruit trees, feel free to contact us.