Conference pear trees

• Best seller
• Check pollinators >

• Picking season: Mid
• Self-fertility: Self-fertile
• Flowering group: 3

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 organic pear trees for sale

Next deliveries: December 2026

• 11 yeartree on BA29 rootstock28.00€
  Medium tree (2m-3.5m after 10 years) Bare-root
  

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• 21 yeartree on Kirchensaller rootstock28.00€
  Very large tree (5m-6m+ after 10 years) Bare-root
  

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If you do not hear from us by March you can contact us to pre-order for next autumn.

Growing and Training

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.

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

• What level of gardening skill is needed to grow Conference?Beginner
• Is Conference self-fertile?Self-fertile
• What flowering group is Conference?3
• What is the overall disease resistance of Conference?Average
• Picking periodmid-September
• What season do you pick Conference?Mid
• How long can you keep Conference in a fridge?2-3 weeks
• Food usesEating fresh
• Summer average maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)Cold (< 20C / 67F)
• Where does Conference originate from?United Kingdom
• When was Conference first introduced?1850 - 1899
• Fruit colourGreen - light

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