10/19/2000
8/26/2001
9/10/2001

For those chemophobes out there, pears are one of those crops with few 
disease and insect threats.  They are almost never sprayed with either 
insecticide or fungicide.  To combat fireblight, some growers spray an 
anti-biotic (name escapes me right now) at bloom time.  Into this "no 
spray needed" category also fall figs, persimmons, muscadine grapes.

There are two categories of pears: Asian and European.  

European are the "regular" pears that generally turn soft as they ripen.
They are almost unique compared to other fruit in that they ripen much 
better off the tree than on the tree.  They are best picked as soon as 
a color change is evident and then stored for a few weeks or longer.  
All Europeans in this area seem to develop an unattactive, blotchy or 
russetted, skin.  This is rumored to be connected to our native cedar 
or juniper population.

Asian pears can be characterized as crisp but juicy.  Somewhat like 
apples.  They achieve full flavor only on the tree.

Compared to other fruit trees, pears have potentially very long lives. 
Pear trees around age 100 can be found around old home sites.  They 
have almost no disease or insect threats.  Fire Blight is the only one 
that comes to mind.  To minimize Fire Blight, only light applications 
of fertilizer are recommended.

Here are the varieties of pears that I grow along with some evaluation 
data:

Orient (European).  This has been my most productive pear.  Most of my
trees were planted in the 1986 era.  There have been very few failure
years, though they seem to bear more heavily on alternate years.  Only 
moderate quality, relatively short storage life of a few months.  Under 
good conditions, they are very large and almost round.  I have 150-200
tree that produce more pears than I am able to sell.

LeConte (European).  A very heavy bearer, though with not the year to 
year reliability of the Orient.  Smaller, with a neck.  Best when eaten 
somewhat crisp.  Relatively short storage life.  I have around 20 trees 
planted in 1986.

Fan-Stil (European).  A close cousin of LeConte selected by Mr. Fannick 
of Fannick's Nursery in San Antonio.  Fannick's has beem closed for quite 
a few years now.  Perhaps a stronger growing tree than LeConte; perhaps 
slightly better fruit quality.  I have only two trees from the 1986 
era.  CORRECTION, thanks to a reader:  Fannick's Nursery lives!  See 
links on the "Suppliers" page.

Garber (European).  Very apple like in appearance, size, and texture.  
Can be very high quality; there are many strains with a lot of 
variation.  I have around 20 trees from about 1986.  I have seen only a 
few years with good production.

Moonglow (European).  Very high quality smallish melting flesh.  Very 
prone to foliage problems here.  Very rare production.  I have about 11 
trees dating back to about 1980.

Warren (European). The highest quality pear that I have.  Comparable to 
Comice.  Small with a neck.  Highly flavored melting flesh.  I have
about 15 trees dating back to about 1986.  Unfortunately, the Warren
seems to be VERY slow in coming into production.  Only in 2000 did a
get as much as one box from my oldest tree.  Warren has the reputation
of bearing well after it reaches 10-15 years of age.  2001 update:  
Warrens produced about 8 boxes; production seems to be improving.

Kieffer (European).  A hard pear valued for cooking or canning.  Dan 
Wolf was known for producing these in McDade.  Can be quite large.  
Long storage life.  I have only one of theses left, planted around 
1980.

Bullard "Pound" (European).  A close cousin of Kieffer.  I have about 
ten of these, planted around 1986.

Asian pears: Hosui, Kosui, Shinseiki, 20th Century, Korean Giant.  
These are all similair in texture.  They vary in size and quality, with
Hosui being the best in my opinion.  They must be ripened on the tree
for maximum quality.  I have around 200 trees planted since about 1986.  
After the first five years, or so, they produce fairly consistantly.  
Many years they need to be thinned in order to achieve decent size.
2001 update: my latest asian, Seuri, is unexpectedly producing good 
quality fruit.  For the first time.  Good sugar content with intense 
unusual flavor.

"Apple pears".  Occasionally, a customer will ask me about "apple 
pears".  Most likely they are referring to Garber, but any of the 
Asians are also possibilities.