Pear Trees Melbourne

Pear trees are a popular choice for home gardens in Melbourne, Australia. But do they fruit all year round? The answer is no. Most pear trees are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves in winter. However, a few varieties of pear trees are evergreen, meaning they keep their leaves year-round. 

These include the Nashi pear and the Asian pear. Evergreen pear trees will still produce fruit in winter, but the yield will be lower than during the summer months. So if you're looking for a variety of pear trees that will bear fruit all year round, you'll need to choose an evergreen variety.

While most fruit-bearing trees need to be pollinated by a different tree to produce fruit, pear trees are self-pollinating. This means that a single pear tree can produce fruit without another tree's assistance. 

However, you may still choose to plant two pear trees in your garden for a number of reasons. First, having two trees will increase the overall amount of fruit you harvest each year. Second, planting two pear trees will allow you to plant different varieties of pears, which can help ensure that you have a steady supply of fruit throughout the season. 

Finally, two pear trees will add aesthetic value to your garden. Whether you decide to plant one or two pear trees, you can be confident that you will be able to enjoy fresh pears from your backyard.

Similar to apple trees, it takes approximately four to six years for a pear tree to produce rounded fruits. The tree will first flower, and then the flowers will be pollinated by bees, who transfer pollen from the male parts of the flower to the female parts. 

Once cross-pollination occurs, the tree will form small, hard fruits called "pearlets." These pearlets will gradually grow and soften as they mature, eventually developing into full-sized pears. Depending on the variety of pear, it may take anywhere from 70 to 120 days for the fruit to reach maturity. Once ripe, pears can be harvested and eaten fresh.

Pear trees are generally quite drought tolerant, especially once they are established. They will need regular watering during the first few years after planting, but once they are established, they can withstand long periods of drought. However, pear trees grown in very dry climates may produce smaller green skin fruits. 

Generally, it is best to water pear trees deeply and less often rather than lightly and more frequently. This encourages the roots to grow deep into the soil in search of water, which results in a stronger and more drought-tolerant tree. During extended periods of drought, supplemental irrigation may be necessary to ensure a good fruit crop.