Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
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Figure 6.25
Lack of fruit thinning and an unsupported
branch led to this catastrophe.
Figure 6.27
Current season's growth cut back to two
buds in summer (1). One-year-old wood forming spurs to
flower and fruit next season (2). Three-year-old wood
with new one-year-old spurs (3). Old growth with
well-developed spurs (4).
Pears
Pyrus
spp.
Pears, be they European or Asian, are
vigorous and easy to train. The nashi or Asian
pear differs only in its harvest techniques, the
word 'nashi' meaning 'pear' in Japanese. So
whether they bear buttery and aromatic or
firm and crunchy fruit, pears are a beautiful
addition to any landscape.
make perfect espaliers and can be grown as
pyramids, spindles, bush or open vase systems
(see page 126, 'Free-standing fruit trees', and
page 131, 'Espalier'). Whatever style you
choose, aim for strong wide branch angles
when selecting which side growths to use for
scaffold branches. Pears are prone to vigorous
vertical growth that is shy to fruit, so use
spreader bars or weights to encourage them to
grow more horizontally (see Figure 6.14).
Feel free to choose any tree shape that you
fancy - pears are very accommodating. They
Pears need another pear to cross-pollinate
with, so ensure that you have compatible
cultivars. The 20th century nashi pear can be
self-pollinating but bears better crops in the
presence of another.
Buying your pear on a dwarfing quince
rootstock will limit its height to 2-3 m,
whereas those grafted to pear rootstocks
make magnificent trees to 6 m high; a
challenge to pick. If you are training a
standard or bush pear, cut out the central
trunk or leader in summer rather than winter
Figure 6.26
The easy-going pear.
