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Pears in Scotland

wandbwandb Posts: 12
in Fruit & veg

We live in the north of Scotland and want to plant a pear tree but are not sure which variety would be most suitable, does any one have any advice on which would be best?

Barry

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Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,538

    If you are only planting one tree, it has to be self fertile. Conference is self fertile, but I don't know how well it would fruit up North. You could train it on a wall to give it some protection

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391

    Barry, most pears need warmer temperatures than apple trees so the usual varieties are unlikely to do well.  Pollination will also be an issue in the colder climate as there may not be many bees or other pollinating insects about when they blossom so hand-pollination may be necessary.  If you really want to give it a go, I found this Canadian site with recommended varieties - see if you can find any of them from UK suppliers:

    http://www.hardyfruittrees.ca/catalog/pear-tree

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • wandbwandb Posts: 12

    Oh, that does not sound promising.

  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,586

    I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THESE PEOPLE, BASED IN PERTHSHIRE, BUT THEY MAY BE ABLE TO ADVISE YOU.

    https://plantsandapples.co.uk/catalogue/fruit-tree-list-2016-17/

    SOME PEARS ARE NOT SELF FERTILE AND YOU MIGHT NEED TO BUY TWO VARIETIES.

    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053

    I live in central Scotland. Had a very old pear tree in the garden. Had two types of pears on it - main tree had round pears, the growth from below the graft had conference type pears. I had pears coming out of my ears most years. No idea of variety. Not particularly sheltered in a north facing garden!

    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053

    Friend has a pear tree in Morayshire. are you that far north?

    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053

    Yes, lots of fruit.

    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • wandbwandb Posts: 12

    Barry's about 20 miles north of Inverness neading towards Tain.

  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053

    Not that much further than moray then. 

    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • wandbwandb Posts: 12

    Might have a chance, need to get the right variety i think, any ideas? 

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