Pear trees are not only very decorative. They are ideal shade providers and provide sweet, delicious fruit in autumn. In addition to the right location, good care also plays a major role in the tree's prosperity.
How do you properly care for a pear tree?
For good pear tree care, you should water the tree regularly, especially young trees, fertilize the soil with compost or manure, carry out summer pruning and topiary, pay attention to diseases and pests and, if necessary, take measures to combat them.
How often do pear trees need to be watered?
Pear trees need a moist location without waterlogging. If the soil is dry, you especially need to water young trees in a timely manner.
How are pear trees fertilized?
If the soil in the planting hole has been improved in advance with mature compost or manure, the pear tree hardly needs any fertilizer. If necessary, some mature compost can be sprinkled every now and then.
A layer of mulch is helpful. Not only does it prevent drying out, but it also provides the tree with nutrients. When purchasing fruit fertilizer, pay attention to low-nitrogen varieties.
Do pear trees need to be trimmed?
After flowering, summer pruning follows. In spring or autumn there is time for a topiary. When pruning a pear tree, dried and dead branches are also removed.
Does the pear tree need winter protection?
Winter protection is not necessary.
What diseases can occur?
Pear trees are susceptible to various diseases and fungi. These include:
- pear scab
- Firebrand
- Pear grid
- Monilia
- Mildew
Pear grid rust occurs most frequently. It is shown by orange spots on the leaves. There are currently no resistant pear varieties. If the infestation is very severe, repeated spraying against the pathogen helps.
When infected by fire blight, the leaves wilt and turn black. This disease must be reported to the Horticulture Department.
In general, it can be said that a slight disease attack hardly damages the tree. You only need to intervene if the infestation is severe. To prevent this, you should not compost the leaves, but rather burn them or dispose of them. Fallen fruit mummies must be picked up and also disposed of.
Which pests should you watch out for?
Pear leaf suckers are fleas that suck out the leaves and then cover them with a fungus. The pear gall midge bores into the fruit, causing it to become crippled and fall before harvest time. Injections can be helpful here too.
The roots of the pear tree are endangered by voles. Voles should therefore definitely be driven away. The root ball of young trees can be protected from damage by rodents using a basket made of fine-meshed wire.
The pear tree doesn't bear fruit, why is that?
There are a number of possibilities as to why a pear tree may not bear fruit. Some varieties only bloom every other year. Care errors and errors in cutting can prevent flowering. Severe drought causes flowering to fail. In some years, frost at flowering time causes the flowers to be destroyed.
Tips & Tricks
Pear trees need more care than, for example, apple trees. Make sure it is in a good location and water the tree sufficiently. Check the leaves and trunk regularly for stains. You should pay particular attention to the undersides of the leaves.
