My wife and I want to plant two additional trees in our large backyard and we are thinking one of them should be a fruit tree. After a little discussion we have decided on a pear tree and a close friend has suggested a Bartlett Pear. We weren't really planning on the second tree also being a fruit tree, were thinking of a medium sized maple or something like that (shade/ ornamental tree). I understand about cross polinating being necessary for most but not all fruit trees so wanted some help. Is there a particular type of Pear tree that produces well without a cross polinating tree? Keep in mind we definately want a yummy tasting fruit. What might be a nice non-fruit companion tree for it as well. Something a little taller assuming our fruit tree is a semi-dwarf. Thanks
Garden centers here sell multiple graft pear trees, consisting of several different kinds. Cross pollination is supposed to be figured into the equation when these are produced.
Hi Ron B Thanks for the info. You seem to be my gardening Guru as you have replied to almost all of my questions. I have read different (Conflicting?), advice on different forums/ threads but your solution makes the most sense. I will definately look for a grafted fruit tree. To solve this problem originally my wife and I had been debating getting two pear trees as we have the space. If we were to plant two semi-dwarf pear trees, what is the best distance to plant them apart? Thanks again
Concorde variety pear is said to be partly self-fertile, or it also cross-pollinates with Bartlett. 12 feet apart would work for spacing semi-dwarf pear trees; 20 feet for standards. Mountain Ash and Black Locust are a couple ideas for companions
