Ripe Pears

[Nyboy]

Have a pear tree, the branches are bending with fruit. How can I tell when its time to pick?

 

[Smart Red]

You could call your county extension office for information on tree fruit ripening times locally. I never get mine right.

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

most pears will not ripen on the tree depending if they are european pears. it seems they like to be stored in a cool location to get them to ripen. but i agree, call the extension service and check with them. my trees haven't given me anything yet. i have to give mine a few more years till they should be ready to produce.

 

[baymule]

Pick one and bite it.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Pears are tricky. It really helps to know the variety. My Asian pears ripen on the tree but the other types needs cool storage after you pick them. The times in this are for Oregon, not you, but the write-up is pretty good.

http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/17252/fs147.pdf

I am envious, by the way. My Bartlett type pears are still a few years away from producing. My Asian is still young too. Ill get maybe a half dozen off it this year.

 

[Nyboy]

Ridgerunner thank you for that link. My pear tree was mismarked a crapapple I got it on clearance for $4.00. It was a couple of years before it grew pears,and I knew it wasn't a crabapple lol.

 

[baymule]

Nyboy, I like to get pears a little green and peel, quarter, and core them for canning. I simmer them until tender, pack in hot jars and cover with boiling light syrup. YUM!

 

[Nyboy]

Baymule can you make a pie out of them?

 

[baymule]

Oh yes! yes you can make a pie out of them. On the Texas frontier, pear trees were very popular, because it is too hot for apple trees. Pears can be used just like apples. There used to be pear trees on the old homesteads here in east Texas. Sometimes there would be nothing left to show that somebody ever lived there but an old pear tree and a still standing chimney. You could can the pears, make pies, dehydrate them, mix with other fruits to make fruit leathers.

 

[Nyboy]

Great to know how tough pear trees are.