When to pick pears?

dizziblonde

...perferably before the overhanging branch of them onto the patio knock me unconcious walking into them one day?

Inherited a pear tree with the house that's now utterly laden in pears - but no idea when to pick them, what type of tree it is or anything... dumb blonde's guide required here folks!

[Deleted User]

They are usually ready to pick in about September, but the apple season has been a few weeks early this year and so I suspect the pears may be too.

When the first few windfalls drop then they are probably ready. See how easy the pears come off the tree. If you cup a pear in your hand (oooerr missues) and if the fruit lifts off the tree with its stalk then they are ready. Looking at one of my gardening books is says don't leave them to ripen on the tree as they lose their texture, pick them and store until fully ripened.

My pear tree has finally fruited this year (it has gone mad infact) so I will be having to find somewhere to store them too. Although I plan to make pear cider (perry) with them when I have enough in a few years time.

splodger_seedswapper

re picking - it depends on variety too to a certain extent - as some pears don't ripen on the tree - they are best picked and left for two weeks before eating

if you don't know the variety of yours - i would try a taste test - from one off the tree (that twists of easily) but at the same time - pick of another few and leave them in the house for a week or so - then taste one every so often to see if they have ripened indoors

if they do taste better after being picked - you should be able to pick the lot and carefully store them

valk_scot

If they are really crammed onto the branches I'd have a quick look at them and nip off any very small or misshapen ones. Usually these drop off naturally around late June but it's worth nipping out a few more so the rest have space to plump up nicely. I have one small pear tree that can produce a couple of hundred small pears or 50-60 really good ones when I thin them, and I know which I prefer.

3v3

splodger_seedswapper wrote: »

re picking - it depends on variety too to a certain extent - as some pears don't ripen on the tree - they are best picked and left for two weeks before eating

if you don't know the variety of yours - i would try a taste test - from one off the tree (that twists of easily) but at the same time - pick of another few and leave them in the house for a week or so - then taste one every so often to see if they have ripened indoors

if they do taste better after being picked - you should be able to pick the lot and carefully store them

Would the same advice be appropriate for apples? I have a groaning, burgeoning apple tree and pear tree - don't know the variety of either. No "windfalls" from the pear, but have had fairly consistent "windfalls" from the apple since June time (although that seems to have slowed down in the last week or two ... unless d17yo mows the lawn and carelessly knocks a couple off because he can't be asked to duck!)

splodger_seedswapper

3v3 wrote: »

Would the same advice be appropriate for apples? I have a groaning, burgeoning apple tree and pear tree - don't know the variety of either. No "windfalls" from the pear, but have had fairly consistent "windfalls" from the apple since June time (although that seems to have slowed down in the last week or two ... unless d17yo mows the lawn and carelessly knocks a couple off because he can't be asked to duck!)

i think apples are best left to ripen on the tree - having said that i picked slightly under-ripe apples and plums recently and have ripened them off in crates (to save losing them to the pesky squirrels etc)

i think it would also depend on what you intend to do with the fruit - storing for eating i would certainly leave apples until they are ripe enough to eat - for cooking, juicing, making jam, wine etc - them i would be tempted to pick them a bit earlier (although unripe apples can be very sour)

if you have plenty - best thing to do is experiment - try picking some and leaving others - and decide for yourself which works best for your particular tree and needs

bfbf

If you have any excess and want them turned into pear cider, let me know