How Long Does it Take for a Pear Tree to Produce Fruit?

Transplant pear trees in late winter while they are still dormant. For flower buds to develop, pear trees require dormancy and a period of winter chill. Climate, soil fertility, pruning and the location of pear tree plantings are also factors in blooming and fruit set.

Age at Planting

Expect a newly planted pear tree to bear fruit four to six years after planting. A 1-year-old nursery whip must develop lateral branches before it bears fruit. A 2- to 3-year-old potted tree should bear fruit three to four years after transplanting.

Tree Type

Dwarf trees generally bear fruit earlier than standard-size trees. If you plant a two-year-old dwarf pear tree in a container to use as a patio plant, it may bear fruit in two to three years. Standard-sized trees grafted to Old Home rootstock may take up to eight years to fruit after transplanting.

Pollination

Although some pear varieties are self-fertile, most pears must have a different variety planted nearby for proper pollination and ample fruit set. No matter how old the trees are, Bartlett and Seckel varieties will not pollinate each other, and Magness is not a good pollinating variety.

References

• Texas A and M University Extension: Home Fruit Production -- Pears
• University of Rhode Island: Why Fruit Trees Fail to Bear

Resources

• North Carolina State University Extension: Training and Pruning Fruit Trees