Abandoned Pear Tree

17 years ago

There's a pear tree in my year that has not been tended at all in at least fifteen years. It appears to have originally been pruned with a central leading trunk and then shaped like a cone, but its been so long that there are very, very tall branches on the ends that reach high in the air. The tree fruits prolifically, but the fruit are often brownish and dirty-looking on the outside.

1) How do I clean this tree up and prepare it to be an active part of my orchard/landscape?

2) Are the pears healthy or do I need to spray them with something?

3) I don't like pears. What should I do with them?

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Comments (3)

milehighgirl
17 years ago
I basically had the same question a little while ago. I got some really good advice from the forum. My husband and I took off at least 10 feet off the top and already we have many little sprouts coming off the trunk. I bought the book recommended, Ecological Fruit Production in the North, and took the advice on pruning. At first I could not believe how horrible the tree looked after our first pruning, but apparently we did okay.

I am in the process of grafting known varieties onto it to hopefully get some good fruit.

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Can my pear tree be saved?
luvsdieter
17 years ago
Sounds like the type of pear tree in my great aunt's yard. The pears that come off are ugly with some brownish spots (not bruising the actual meat, just spots on the skin) and a rough skin. But, man, once you bite into one, the juices just run down your chin.

here is what we do with the bags and bags of fruit after they have been peeled and quartered:

- froze some and gave to a friend whose baby had dietary restrictions. They are the perfect size for toddler hands to pick up or can be easily pureed into all natural, organic baby food.

- I personally use them as a substitution for recipes calling for apples since they have a similar texture. Dice peeled pears, toss in cinnamon and sugar, place in dough pocket (I used canned crescent roll dough), close up pocket, place into greased baking dish, pour apple cider or orange juice into dish to 1/2 way up dumplings, place pat of butter on top of each dumpling and bake. Best served warm over french vanilla ice cream.

- start bagging them up and giving them away with the caveat "they look ugly, but man, they taste good!"

Good luck!
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marknmt
17 years ago
Milehighgirl says it well, and Luvsdieter too. Let me just add that a properly ripened pear is almost certainly not what you're used to, so while you may not like what you've experienced you might change your mind once you get one that's right. And bear in mind, the brown spots and rough, dirty looking skin suggest a russeted pear. Russeted apples and pears tend to be particularly sweet and tasty. (There's a reason they're still sought after even though they're funny looking.)

And pears poached in wine, or canned with a light syrup and a little cinnamon and lemon ...Oh, my!

Good Luck,

M