Conference Pear

The most popular commercial pear in Europe, producing elongated, russeted fruits with sweet, juicy, melting flesh and excellent keeping qualities. Conference is partially self-fertile and one of the most reliable pear varieties, cropping well even without a pollinizer. The trees are compact and upright, well-suited to espalier training along walls and fences.

Pear seeds require 60 to 90 days of cold stratification before planting. However, pear seedlings are extremely variable and will not produce Conference fruit. Purchase grafted trees from a reputable nursery. For rootstock production, stratify cleaned seeds in moist material at 33 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant in spring one inch deep. Germination takes three to four weeks. Seedling pears take eight to twelve years to fruit.

Plant Conference pear trees in late winter while dormant, in full sun with deep, well-drained soil. Though partially self-fertile, Conference produces significantly larger crops when cross-pollinated by another pear variety such as Williams, Doyenne du Comice, or Concorde. Space standard trees 18 to 20 feet apart, semi-dwarf on Quince rootstock 10 to 12 feet.

Water regularly during the first two years, providing one to two inches per week. Once established, water deeply during dry periods, especially during fruit development. Conference adapts well to espalier training along walls and fences, making it ideal for small gardens. The upright, compact growth habit requires less pruning than spreading varieties.

Prune in winter to maintain shape, removing crossing branches and water sprouts. Summer-prune espaliered trees by shortening new lateral growth to four or five leaves in July. Thin fruit to one or two per cluster in early summer for best size and quality. Conference is susceptible to fire blight and pear scab, so monitor closely and maintain a preventive spray program where these diseases are prevalent.

Plant a compatible pollinizer pear within 50 feet for maximum production, though Conference sets some fruit alone. Good pollinizers include Williams, Concorde, and Doyenne du Comice. Chives and garlic beneath pear trees may help suppress disease. Clover or vetch ground covers fix nitrogen and attract pollinators. Nasturtiums repel aphids. Avoid planting near walnut trees and junipers.

Conference pear grows best in deep, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. The tree tolerates heavier soils than most pears, though waterlogging must be avoided. Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring before bud break, keeping nitrogen moderate to reduce fire blight risk. Annual compost applications improve soil structure. Calcium and boron supplementation may be needed based on soil test results.

Ideal Temperature

Hardiness Zone Compatibility

Conference pears are harvested in late September while still firm and green. European pears must be picked before fully ripe and ripened off the tree. Test readiness by lifting the fruit horizontally; if it separates easily from the spur, it is ready. The fruit should still be hard at harvest. Ripen at room temperature for five to ten days until the flesh near the stem yields to gentle pressure. For best texture, refrigerate for two to three weeks before ripening at room temperature.

Storage & Preservation

Conference pears store exceptionally well in cold storage at 30 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit for three to four months. The russeted skin provides natural protection during storage. Remove from cold storage and ripen at room temperature for a week before eating. Conference makes excellent preserves, poached pears, and dried fruit. The firm flesh holds up well in baking and canning. Pear butter and pear sauce are delicious alternatives to apple versions.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Fire blight is the most serious threat, particularly during warm, wet springs when blossoms are open. Pear scab requires preventive treatment in humid climates. The fruit is hard and inedible if eaten directly from the tree without proper ripening. Russeting on the skin is characteristic of Conference and not a defect, though some consumers find it unattractive. Poor pollination results in misshapen fruit. Birds may damage ripening fruit left on the tree.

Growing Tips

1. Choose Quince A rootstock for a good balance of vigour and early cropping in most garden situations, or Quince C for very small gardens and containers where a compact tree of 2.5 to 3 metres is needed.
2. Plant a compatible pollinator variety such as Concorde, Williams Bon Chretien, or Beurre Hardy within 15 metres to significantly increase fruit set and yield, even though Conference is partially self-fertile.
3. Train Conference pears as espaliers or cordons against a south or south-west facing wall or fence to save space, improve fruit quality through reflected warmth, and make pruning and picking easier.
4. Water newly planted trees deeply once a week during their first two growing seasons to establish a strong root system, applying at least 20 litres per session rather than frequent light sprinklings.
5. Apply a high-potassium liquid feed such as tomato fertiliser every two weeks from June through August to support fruit development, sugar accumulation, and bud formation for the following year.
6. Thin fruit clusters in early June to one or two pears per cluster spaced 10 to 15 cm apart to produce larger, better-flavoured fruit and prevent biennial bearing patterns.
7. Pick Conference pears in September while still firm and ripen them indoors at room temperature for five to seven days; tree-ripened fruit develops a grainy, mealy texture rather than the desired melting butteriness.
8. Prune in winter to maintain an open canopy with good air circulation, which is the single most effective cultural measure for reducing pear scab infection.
9. Net trees or individual fruit clusters with fine mesh bags from August onward to protect ripening pears from bird damage and wasp feeding, which can devastate a crop in the final weeks before harvest.
10. Apply a winter wash of plant oil-based spray in December or January to kill overwintering aphid eggs, pear sucker nymphs, and scale insects sheltering in bark crevices.