In the United Kingdom, Bartlett pear trees (Pyrus communis), usually referred to as Williams pear trees, are well-known for their sweet, yellow-green summer fruits, which are preceded by stunning white blooms in the spring. The pear tree grows in a conical shape, resembling a spruce tree, in contrast to other fruit trees. The ideal growing conditions for Bartlett pear trees include loamy, well-drained, somewhat acidic soil, regular watering, full sunshine, and a chill period of at least 800 hours.
A Bartlett pear can be recognized by its distinctive pears, white blossoms, and up to three-inch-long, oval-shaped, serrated, finely toothed leaves. Bartlett pear trees come in regular and dwarf height variants, with the latter having a maximum maturity height of thirty feet. Although bartlett pears are safe for people and animals to eat, the seeds are cyanide-filled. Never give pear seeds to your pet.
Bartlett Pear Tree Oveerview
| Common Name | Bartlett Pear Tree, Williams Pear Tree |
| Botanical Name | Pyrus communis |
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Plant Type | Tree, fruit |
| Size | 20 ft. tall (standard), 15 ft. tall (dwarf), 20 ft. wide (standard), 10 ft. wide (dwarf) |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun |
| Soil Type | Loamy, clay, moist but well-drained |
| Soil pH | Acidic |
| Bloom Time | Spring |
| Flower Color | White |
| Hardiness Zones | 5-7 (USDA) |
| Native Area | Europe |
How to Plant
When to Plant
Planting Bartlett pear trees from ball and burlap or containers can be done at any time of year. It is best to plant bare-root trees in the winter while they are dormant.
When starting from seed, plant multiple seeds in growth pots to generate saplings before putting them in the ground. Because you may select the healthiest seedlings, this strategy works better than direct seeding.
Selecting a Planting Site
Pear trees need to be in full light. They require rich, loamy soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5 that is great for retaining moisture. Nonetheless, barletts can also thrive in soil that has a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. Before planting, let the soil settle for at least six to twelve months.
Spacing, Depth, and Support
The majority of Bartlett pear cultivars need to be cross-pollinated with nearby trees; they should be planted at least 20 feet away from other pear trees but no closer than 200 feet. Distances between dwarf tree kinds range from 12 to 75 feet. They ought to be sufficiently distant so that the roots do not face competition for soil nutrients and water.
Plant the seeds approximately one inch deep when sowing them. Put one seed in each container. Make sure the soil stays moist and place the pot in a sunny area.
Bartlett Pear Tree Care
The following are the primary maintenance needs for cultivating Bartlett pears:
- Keep the soil well-drained and moist, and follow a regular watering plan.
- Maintain a slightly acidic soil.
- Place the plant in direct sunlight.
- Apply a springtime slow-release fertilizer.
- Guard against exposure to salt or dryness.
Light Requirements
For bartlett pear trees to bloom and bear fruit, they need lots of sunshine. Select a spot for these trees that will receive six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day.
Soil
These fruit trees are vulnerable to soil salinity and dryness. They need thick soils that are well-draining and wet. The pH of soil should be rather acidic.
Watering
Watering bartlett pear trees on a regular basis is necessary for their health and fruit production. Schedule weekly irrigations for these trees. When there is no rain, make sure to give your Bartlett pear tree extra water because a drought or dry spell indicates concern for the tree.
Temperature and Environment
Hardiness zones 5 through 7 of the USDA can support bartlett pears. They have to have chilly winters and about eight hundred “chill hours.” Chill hours, which are recorded when the air temperature is between 32 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit, are more precisely referred to as vernalization. Chill hours are not awarded for temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and are deducted from total chill hours for temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fertilization
Fertilizing the Bartlett pear tree once a year will maintain it robust and fruitful. Fertilizer is best applied in the spring. The best fertilizer is one that is slow-release, well-balanced, and specially designed for fruit plants. Avoid overfertilizing your tree as this will promote more foliage growth than fruit.
Pollination
While certain Bartlett pears may be self-fertile, cross-pollination with suitable pears should be encouraged for greater results. D’Anjou, Bosc, and Comice pear trees are suitable for cross-pollination with Bartletts.
Types of Bartlett Pear Tree
When bartlett pears are ripe, they turn yellow, but they start out green. Famous for its sweet fruit is also a crimson variety. There are two different cultivars of red bartletts that ripen to a red color in the United States:
Max Red Bartlett: Reachs a height of 30 feet; yields remarkable deep-red fruit in the early fall; requires pollination; may be vulnerable to fireblight
Sensation Red Bartlett: Grows up to 20 feet; dark red skin; prefers a neighboring pollination variety to be in bloom; extremely tasty fruit
Dwarf Bartlett: Reaches a height of 10 to 15 feet and has yellow-green, pink-tinged berries.
Harvesting
Pears get mushy if they don’t ripen off the tree. When pears are fully ripe, pick them. To the touch, they will feel solid. Color is not a reliable predictor.
To determine when a pear is ready to be picked, spin it roughly ninety degrees in a horizontal direction. The pear is ready if it removes readily from the branch. If it’s still holding on to the branch tightly, give it some more time.
Stored at room temperature, most pears ripen within a week of being plucked. Place the fruit in a paper bag with a banana to expedite the process.
How to Grow Bartlett Pears in Pots
Bartlett pear trees can be planted in pots as dwarf kinds. To produce fruit, you will require a self-fertile variety or another adjacent cross-pollinating species. You will either need to manually pollinate the trees or invite pollinators to visit them. Keep in mind that trees planted in containers won’t provide as many fruits as those planted in the ground.
A large growth pot that is at least twice as deep and wide as the root ball should be used to hold any saplings you may have. There should be lots of drainage holes in the pot. Make use of premium potting mix. Don’t let the soil get too wet. Avoid covering the tree’s crown. The tree should be placed where it will receive full sun for at least six hours per day.
Pruning
Plan to prune your pear tree annually during its dormant season to maintain it small and healthy. Beginning the first year after planting, begin pruning the tree.
- All additional branches should be trimmed to a distance of 5 to 8 inches from the main leading trunk or branch. No branch should be directly above another; instead, they should all spiral around the trunk.
- Branches that droop below eighteen inches should be removed. Young branches may need to be connected to more older branches until they gain strength since they are weak.
- Continue to maintain this spiral of branches every year after that.
- Any lateral growth that points inward should be pruned off since it will impede ventilation.
- Any main growth branches that aren’t the chosen main branch should have their tips cut off. These are seen where the main branch continues upward without any additional lateral growth, and the branch has forked, resulting in lateral growth. Right above the final lateral growth, trim this branch.
By maintaining optimum airflow and light penetration through the branches, this trimming maintenance will promote healthy branch growth on the tree.
Propagating Bartlett Pear Trees
Cuttings can be used to propagate Bartlett pear trees. Both softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings can be used using this technique. Softwood cuttings are harvested in the early summer or spring. These tend to dry up more quickly than semi-hardwood cuttings, but they are easier to root.
When new growth starts to harden in late summer or early autumn, semi-hardwood cuttings are harvested. While they do not dry out as rapidly, these do not root as quickly as softwood cuttings. This is how cuttings are propagated:
- A tiny pot, wet but well-draining soil, rooting hormone, a plastic bag, a rubber band, and a sharp set of garden shears are required.
- Select a slice that is approximately six to eight inches in length. Trim at a 45-degree angle beneath a node.
- Eliminate any foliage or buds located on the lower portion of the cutting.
- After removing the bark from the cutting’s lowest inch or two, put the exposed end into the rooting hormone.
- Plant the cutting on a soilless medium or moist, well-draining soil.
- After covering the tree, place the plastic bag over it and fasten it to the pot with the rubber band.
- Keep the cutting warm by placing it in indirect sunlight.
- Every day, cut and mist the soil. Occasionally, let the plastic bag air out to avoid mildew growing.
- The development of roots can take several weeks to several months.
- Repot the new tree into a bigger container as soon as robust roots and fresh growth start to show. If any flower buds appear, remove them.
- Harden off the tree until it is robust enough to be put in the garden the following year.
How to Grow Bartlett Pear Tree From Seed
It is not recommended to start Bartlett pear trees from seed since the offspring tree could differ from the parent tree in some ways. It is still a terrific alternative with huge rewards, though. To cultivate a pear tree from seed, adhere to following guidelines:
- Put some damp paper towel over the dry pear seeds. For two to three months, store these in the refrigerator in a plastic bag. Using many seeds is recommended because not all of them will sprout.
- Once several months have passed, take the seeds out of the fridge and place them in tiny pots with wet, well-draining soil. It is best to sow each seed in its own pot. Gently place a layer of seed about one inch deep.
- Keep the soil moist and place the pots in a sunny spot. You can cover the pot with a plastic bag or dome to help keep the humidity consistent.
- It should germinate in a few months. When growth begins, remove any domes that may have been used. The following year, the new trees can be planted in the garden.
Overwintering
Cold weather is necessary for Bartlett pear trees to flourish and yield fruit each year. Consequently, these trees require very little care to survive a harsh winter. To assist insulate the roots, add a layer of mulch around the base of the tree.
Common Pests & Diseases
Bartlett pears often don’t have any issues. They might have to deal with fire blight, a common bacterial disease that affects pears that manifests itself in warm, humid weather in the spring following rain. Fungi can also affect leaves, fruit, and pear twigs, resulting in leaf spots. Cut off and burn any affected areas.
Psylla are small, sap-sucking insects that cause pear decline. Leaf drop, rolled leaves, low fruiting, and overall failure to thrive are some of the symptoms.
How to Get Bartlett Pear Trees to Bloom
Bloom Months
March, April, or May are the flowering months for bartlett pears, depending on the environment and area.
How Long Do Bartlett Pear Trees Bloom?
The length of the trees’ bloom is typically two weeks, give or take a few days, depending on the weather, water quality, and other external elements. The creation of leaves follows the blooms.
What do Bartlett Pear Tree Flowers Look and Smell Like?
The tree will bear three- to four-inch flower clusters, with five white petals and crimson anthers on each bloom. The aroma of the blossoms is subtle and delicious.
How to Encourage More Blooms
Make sure the Bartlett pear tree receives enough water and sunlight to promote blooming. In order to guarantee that sunlight passes through the tree’s canopy, keep a regular pruning plan. Additionally, during the growing season, stick to a regular watering routine.
Common Problems With Bartlett Pear Trees
Bartlett pear trees don’t usually face many issues and are often hardy. However, there are a few problems that can arise when cultivating these pear trees, like uneven leaf coloration or a deficiency of blossoms.
Pale Green or Yellow Leaves
Bartlett pear trees should have lush green foliage all summer long. Inadequate nutrition is indicated by pale or yellowish leaves. Fertilizer should ideally be added in the spring of the next year instead of being added later in the year. The next spring, apply extra slow-release fertilizer.
No Blooms
Bartlett pear trees don’t always bloom. There are several possible causes for this. These include an excess of fertilizer, poor trimming, and inadequate sunlight and water.
Make sure the sunlight reaches your tree for six to eight hours every day. Eliminate any surrounding branches that might be casting the tree in shadows. Water once a week to maintain the tree’s thirst. In the spring, fertilize.
Reduce the amount of fertilizer applied the following year if the tree has a lot of foliage and branch growth but few or no blossoms. While pruning is necessary, avoid overpruning the tree. Bloom production may be hampered by this.
Mealy Pears
When fruits start to ripen, wait to select them until they are fully developed but still unripe. The fruits may get excessively soft and mealy-textured if they are left on the tree.