My unusual pear tree

[ducks4you]

I was kicking myself for the pear tree that I bought last year. After I spent the summer of 2009 nursing it, and planted it, I read that there are only about 6 varieties of pear that are recommended, and "Spiced Pear" wasn't one of them.
The tree is really healthy, and I watched all summer as it bloomed and formed 13 pears. This weekend I noticed that the wind had blown off about 5 of them. Two were bruised and 1/2 spoiled, but I tasted them before offering the remainders to my chickens. They tasted divine, and just like the Bartlett that I bought with fruit on it last Spring. **sigh** **happiness**

 

[lesa]

Nothing like fruit off your own trees! I hope you can keep it going!

 

[vfem]

Well, we have odd recommendations for trees here too.... and I watched winds blow what I had available all over the place here as well this year. I lost 50+ peaches to the winds while they were still green. Booooooooooo

I do hope next year they will produce well for you though, and I'm sure with good care you'll get many good seasons out of those pears anyways.

 

[TanksHill]

I love fruit trees!!!

 

[lesa]

I had about a dozen apples on my little tree this year. I noticed after heavy winds, only the perfect ones fell off. The blemished ones are holding tight! Gotta love mother nature!

 

[digitS']

With these creative names the companies come up with to sell things, Spiced Pear may just be an improvement on Bartlett, Ducks.

I hate to admit that the white peach that we bought and planted in Dad's backyard has fruit that is bitter! And yet, the volunteer white peach that we transplanted "over by the fence" from a seedling in the compost has wonderful fruit!! I am going to suggest to "not try this at home" until I can get someone knowledgeable to say that it is not unreasonable. I mean, aren't ALL fruit trees clones of some desireable variety? That little peach seemed like a real roll of the dice and, for some reason, it worked!

The peaches are near ripening and they look real good. This is the tree's 5th year and the 3rd that it has had, at least, some fruit. Flavor has been just what one could hope for . . . .

Best of Luck to You and Your Pear, Ducks!

Steve

 

[ducks4you]

Thanks, Steve!
vfem, the crew at Illinois Gardener suggests pruning your fruit while GREEN to prevent the on-again, off-again years that develop in older trees, like mine. (I have 3 old apple trees, and 1 old peach tree.) So...the wind pruned it for you. I've heard over and over that your fruit will be bigger and tastier as a result. So, good news!!
My horses got one of the old apple trees because we redrew the fencing lines when I got new fencing two years ago. THEY prune their tree by eating everything within reach, beginning each July. THEIR apples look better than the ones that I just harvested!!! (Come to think of it, those are MY apples--I'll take 'em and leave the peelings for them!! ha ha!!)