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Conference pear trees

Pyrus communis
Conference
Conference has received the RHS Award of Garden MeritConference is listed in the RHS Plants for 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.

Bio / Organic  fruit trees

Conference organic pear trees for sale

  • Maidentree on BA29 rootstock 19.45€
    Medium tree (2m-3.5m after 10 years) Bare-root
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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

  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • Self-fertilitySelf-fertile
  • Flowering group3
  • Pollinating othersGood
  • PloidyDiploid
  • Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
  • Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesMild damp climatesWarm climates
  • Picking periodmid-September
  • Picking seasonMid
  • Season of use2-3 weeks
  • CroppingHeavy
  • Food usesEating fresh
  • Disease resistanceAverage
  • ScabSome resistance
  • Fire blightSome susceptibility
  • Country of originUnited Kingdom
  • Period of origin1850 - 1899
  • Fruit colourGreen - light