Pears

Varieties

French domestic or Bartlett seedling rootstocks are,
generally, more tolerant of clayey and poorly drained soils
than any other fruit tree rootstocks, except seedlings of the
low-temperature-sensitive Pyrus betulaefolia pear. French
domestic or Bartlett seedlings are fireblight susceptible
and reasonably tolerant of low winter temperatures.
French domestic or Bartlett seedling rootstocks are
recommended to commercial growers for two reasons:
(1) they are the only rootstock observed to perform
well in New Jersey, and (2)they are the only rootstock
offered by most nurseries for all the recommended
pear varieties.
Some commercial fruit tree nurseries offer various
quince rootstocks. Most pear varieties on quince
rootstock are full dwarf or very dwarf trees. Quince
rootstocks are very poorly anchored, sensitive to low
winter temperatures, fireblight susceptible, and
incompatible with Bartlett, Bosc, Seckel, and Anjou
varieties. Quince rootstocks are not recommended.
Pyrus calleryana seedling rootstocks are used on
ornamental pears in New Jersey. They are vigorous and
produce sturdy, long-lived, winter-hardy, well-anchored
trees. Pyrus calleryana seedlings are resistant to
fireblight. They are compatible with all fruiting pear
varieties and are suggested for commercial test plantings
in New Jersey.
Various OHXF clonal pear rootstocks are grown from
cuttings and offered by a few commercial nurseries. They
range in size from full dwarf trees, 25 percent the size of
vigorous pear varieties on Bartlett or French domestic
seedling rootstocks, to very vigorous trees, larger than
those do on Bartlett or French domestic seedlings.
The major advantages of these new rootstocks are size
control, early bearing, efficiency, and fireblight resistance.
OHXF333 produces semidwarf trees and are much more
winter-hardy than quince. These stocks are being tested
by the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.
OHXF333 is suggested for commercial test plantings.

especially important to eliminate dandelions, mustard and
other competing flowers from the vicinity of pear orchards.
Growers should supply two to three colonies of bees for
each acre of pears. For general comments on honeybee
pollination, see "General Orchard Information."
All recommended pear varieties require cross-

The bacterial disease fire blight may be a serious
problem during some growing seasons. Control measures
include antibiotic sprays and the planting of resistant
varieties. The best fireblight-resistant varieties, in order of
ripening, include Harrow Delight, Harvest Queen,
Moonglo, and Honeysweet. They are recommended for
commercial planting.
Other varieties, not resistant to fireblight but popular
in wholesale marketing channels, include Bartlett, Bosc,
and Anjou. Some nurseries have mutations and selections
of Bosc with a brighter and more complete cinnamon-
russet color. These varieties may be more desirable than
Bosc. Red-skinned mutations ofBartlett and Anjou are
also available from many fruit tree nurseries. Trees of
these red mutations are generally not as vigorous and are
more susceptible to low winter temperatures than
standard-colored Bartlett and Anjou. Red Bartlett varieties
lose their color rapidly when exposed to temperatures
above 90^oF. They also slowly revert to the standard
variety when trees are maintained in a vigorous condition.
These varieties are recommended to commercial growers
willing to take the exacting steps to control fireblight.
Other fireblight-susceptible varieties with excellent
dessert quality recommended for commercial trial
plantings are Aurora, Highland, and Seckel. Other
varieties susceptible to fireblight and observed in New
Jersey are Devoe and Spartlett.
Contact your local county agent for information on
pear varieties and planting plans.

Rootstocks

Most fruiting pear trees sold in the eastern United
States are propagated on French domestic seedling
rootstocks. These stocks are grown from seed extracted
from Bartlett pears by western canneries from pears from
European cider mills.

Pollination

Pears require honeybees for adequate pollination.
Because pears have so little sugar in their nectar,
honeybees prefer to visit other flowers. Therefore, it is

1998 New Jersey Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide

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