Summer 2021 - important noticeWe are now accepting pre-orders for delivery from late August for pot grown trees and December for bare-rooted trees. More>
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Conference pear trees

Pyrus communis
Conference

Conference is the most widely-grown pear variety in the UK. It crops heavily and reliably, and will grow in most situations.

It is also one of the few pear varieties to be reliably self-fertile in most situations, so you don't usually need another pollinator nearby. Furthermore it is a good pollinator for many other pears.

The skin is usually partially covered in golden-green russet.

A home-grown Conference pear, picked just before it is fully ripe, has an excellent flavour that should not disappoint.

Conference pear trees for sale

Pot-grown

All pot-grown trees are suitable for planting out in the garden, some are suitable for growing in containers.

  • PG12-year bush-trained 11.5L pot-grown tree Quince Eline rootstock £42.95
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
  • PG2Premium cordon 12L pot-grown tree Quince Eline rootstock £46.50
    Small tree (1.5m-2.5m after 10 years)
  • PG32-year bush-trained 12L pot-grown tree Quince A rootstock £42.00
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
  • PG4Premium half-standard 12L pot-grown tree Quince A rootstock £47.00
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
  • PG5Fan-trained 12L pot-grown tree Semi-vigorous rootstock £65.00
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
    Contact us

Bare-root

  • BR11-year bare-root tree Quince C rootstock £25.50
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
  • BR21-year bare-root tree Quince Eline interstem rootstock £25.95
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
  • BR32-year bush-trained bare-root tree Quince Eline rootstock £32.95
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
  • BR4Cordon-trained bare-root tree Quince Eline rootstock £34.95
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
  • BR51-year bare-root tree Quince A rootstock £25.50
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
  • BR62-year bush-trained bare-root tree Quince A rootstock £32.50
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
  • BR72-year half-standard bare-root tree Quince A rootstock £37.00
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
  • BR81-year bare-root tree Pyrodwarf rootstock £26.50
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
  • BR92-year (1.75m) bare-root tree Pyrus c. Kirchensaller rootstock £34.95
    Very large tree (4m-7m after 10 years)
    Contact us
Pre-ordering

You can pre-order now for delivery from late August / early September 2021 for pot grown trees (or late November / early December for bare-root). You do not need to pay at this stage - just add items to the basket and checkout as usual.

How to grow

Conference is one of the easiest pears to grow, being less fussy than some other pear varieties, tolerant of late frosts and strong-growing. It is by far the best choice if you want to grow a pear in less than ideal conditions.

Unusually amongst pears, Conference is effectively self-fertile. However nearby pollination partners will help cropping - try Doyenne du Comice or Williams.

Conference will also pollinate some late-flowering Asian pears which overlap with its flowering time.

All pears tend to grow with a vertical habit, but this is particularly the case with Conference, which can have a distinctly columnar upright appearance.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

Conference was developed by the Rivers Nursery of Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, in the second half of the 19th century. It is thought to be a seedling of a continental variety called Van Mons Leon Leclerc.

It was named after the National British Pear Conference held in 1885.

Conference characteristics

Growing

  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • Self-fertilitySelf-fertile
  • Flowering group3
  • Pollinating othersGood
  • Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
  • Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesMild damp climatesWarm climates

Using

  • Picking seasonMid
  • CroppingHeavy
  • Keeping (of fruit)2-3 weeks
  • Food usesEating fresh

Problems

  • Disease resistanceAverage
  • ScabSome resistance

Climate

    Identification

    • Country of originUnited Kingdom
    • Period of origin1850 - 1899
    • Fruit colourGreen - light
    • AwardsRHS Award of Garden Merit