Conference pear trees
Pyrus communis 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 £42.50
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 £41.00
Large tree
(3m-4m after 10 years)
PG4Premium half-standard 12L pot-grown tree Quince A rootstock £46.00
Large tree
(3m-4m after 10 years)
PG5Fan-trained 12L pot-grown tree Semi-vigorous rootstock £61.00
Large tree
(3m-4m after 10 years)
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Bare-root
BR11-year bare-root tree Quince Eline rootstock £22.95
Medium tree
(2m-3m after 10 years)
BR22-year bush-trained bare-root tree Quince Eline rootstock £32.95
Medium tree
(2m-3m after 10 years)
BR31-year bare-root tree Quince A rootstock £21.45
Large tree
(3m-4m after 10 years)
BR42-year bush-trained bare-root tree Quince A rootstock £31.45
Large tree
(3m-4m after 10 years)
BR52-year half-standard bare-root tree Quince A rootstock £36.45
Large tree
(3m-4m after 10 years)
BR61-year bare-root tree Pyrodwarf rootstock £21.45
Large tree
(3m-4m after 10 years)
BR71-year bare-root tree Pyrus c. Kirchensaller rootstock £21.45
Very large tree
(4m-7m after 10 years)
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
- CroppingHeavy
- Picking seasonMid
- Keeping (of fruit)2-3 weeks
- Fruit persistenceNormal ripening
- Flavour qualityAverage
- WildlifeRHS perfect for pollinators
- Food usesEating fresh
- Gardening skillBeginner
- Self-fertilitySelf-fertile
- Flowering group3
- Pollinating othersGood
- PloidyDiploid
- VigourAverage vigour
- PrecocityPrecocious
- Bearing regularityRegular
- Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
- Disease resistanceAverage
- FireblightSome susceptibility
- ScabSome resistance
- Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesMild damp climatesWarm climates
- Summer average maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)Cold (< 20C / 67F)
- Country of originUnited Kingdom
- Period of origin1850 - 1899
- Leaf colourGreen
- Fruit colourGreen - light
- AwardsRHS Award of Garden Merit
