Pear trees are native to our latitudes, but they do not produce a good harvest in every location. Growing them as a trellis, especially on a warm house wall, can therefore bring advantages. Even demanding storage pears can be grown in this way with high yields.
The pear tree is particularly suitable as espalier fruit
demands on cultivation
Pear trees need deep, warm soil. South or west walls are ideal. In urban areas, pears are often threatened by pear rust. The culprit is the juniper bushes growing in the neighborhood, which serve as an intermediate host for the fungus. The disease does not attack the fruit. However, many garden owners do not like the sight of diseased trees. Consider this before planting.
The fertilization problem
Pears are not self-pollinating. Cultivation in your home garden, far away from fruit-growing areas, can sometimes remain fruitless.
- a suitable pollinator variety is required
- in a radius of about 200 m
Pears on a trellis often bloom a little earlier than free-standing specimens. Therefore, despite a suitable variety in the vicinity, fertilization cannot occur.
tips
Ask the nursery about a double grafted variety. This solves the pollination problem because the tree pollinates itself.
Pruning espalier pears
Cutting espalier fruit not only ensures the desired two-dimensional shape. It should also stimulate fruiting. Since pear trees are pruned according to their variety, you should find out about this in good time.