Pear trees are native to our latitudes, but they do not produce a good harvest in every location. Growing them as a trellis, especially on a warm house wall, can therefore bring advantages. Even demanding storage pears can be grown productively.
How can you successfully grow espalier pears?
Espalier Fruit Pears can be grown productively by growing them on a warm house wall and using a suitable pollinator variety nearby. For optimal results, deep, warm soil and regular, variety-specific pruning are required.
Cultivation requirements
Pear trees require deep, warm soil. South or west walls are ideal. In urban areas, pears are often threatened by pear scab. The culprit is juniper bushes growing in the neighborhood, which serve as an intermediate host for the fungus. The disease does not attack the fruit. However, many garden owners do not like the sight of diseased trees. Consider this before planting.
The fertilization problem
Pears are not self-pollinating. Growing them in your home garden, far away from fruit-growing areas, may remain fruitless.
- A suitable pollinator variety is required
- in about 200 m radius
Pears on a trellis often bloom a little earlier than free-standing specimens. Therefore, fertilization cannot occur despite a suitable variety in the neighborhood.
Tip
Ask the nursery about a double-grafted variety. This solves the fertilization problem because the tree fertilizes itself.
Cutting espalier pears
Cutting espalier fruit not only creates the desired two-dimensional shape. This should also stimulate fruit formation. Since pear trees are pruned according to their variety, you should find out about this in good time.
