pear trees

SaraTonin

I know this is probably a silly question but Im having trouble finding the answer, Are there any mini pear trees? I don't have much of a yard and I'm really wanting a small pear tree for my porch. TIA

~NB~

Pear trees are uncontrollable. Even if you buy a labeled cultivar from a reputable nursery, it's hard to know what you're getting, because Pears cross pollinate and hybridize themselves so freely. That is why they are so invasive, and why (as an Arborist) I'm so opposed to them.

Now, back to the original question. Both fruit-bearing and ornamental pears are in the small category and seldom exceed 30' (typical of all fruit trees). Not sure what you mean by "mini". If you want something really tiny, there are peach tree varieties that top out at 3-5' and do well in large containers, if you like peaches.

WhiteGarden

I second the suggestion on the peach tree.  We had a peach tree on our property when we moved here and it was small, even though it was old.  By contrast, we have HUGE 10-year-old Bradford pear trees (ornamental).  Although they are gorgeous in the fall, they are really not my favorite tree...  they bloom quite prettily in the spring, but emit a terrible smell while blooming....  If you're dead set on a pear tree, I would avoid the bradfords. 

SaraTonin

Thanks for the advice.I would like to grow things to eat besides herbs. I've tried a lot of vedgitables but I dint have enough room for more than a serving or two. I would love a tree or plant that we could graze threw rather then hord fi for one dinner.

dirtyred

Gotta ditto NB on the pear tree thing.  Those Bradford pears are the devil's tree!

I was at a seminar about trees, and in the Q&A someone asked a question that started with "What do I do when my Bradford pear..." and the speaker jumped in "Cut it down! Cut them all down!"

~NB~

dirtyred:

I was at a seminar about trees, and in the Q&A someone asked a question that started with "What do I do when my Bradford pear..." and the speaker jumped in "Cut it down! Cut them all down!"

Who was the speaker?

Aance

I planted a bradford pear 2 summers ago .. I have liked it so far... now I feel like I should hate it... why do you guys hate them so much!?

~NB~

~NB~:

Pear trees are uncontrollable. Even if you buy a labeled cultivar from a reputable nursery, it's hard to know what you're getting, because Pears cross pollinate and hybridize freely. They are invasive, and (as an Arborist) I'm opposed to them.

WHY THE PLANET DOESN'T NEED MORE PEAR TREES

UltrasoundTechMommy

Wow why does everyone hate pear trees so much? We planted one last year. Its a cute, skinny little thing. It had pretty white flowers this spring. I can't wait until I get some fruit from it.

alliapistor

We have a dwarf pear tree in one of our raised beds.  It was there when we moved in.  Although it is a "dwarf" tree - it is still probably 20 feet high.  It doesn't take up much space in terms of diameter and root growth, but would definitely be too big for a planter on a porch.  The same is true with our 2 dwarf apples and dwarf plum tree.

I have seen patio orange trees that appear to do well in a pot.  If you're in a warm area with a lot of sun, you might try one of those or a lemon tree.  Make sure to look for varieties that say patio or that do well in pots.

greenbean951

UltrasoundTechMommy:

Wow why does everyone hate pear trees so much? We planted one last year. Its a cute, skinny little thing. It had pretty white flowers this spring. I can't wait until I get some fruit from it.

Ornamental non fruiting pear trees are extemely invasive, pushing out native species. It spreads like wildfire and is difficult to control. Also, they're just terrible landscape trees in general because of the acute angles their branches form which leads to them easily breaking off in a storm. They are just a weak wooded tree and have a short lifespan.

kastle

greenbean951:

UltrasoundTechMommy:

Wow why does everyone hate pear trees so much? We planted one last year. Its a cute, skinny little thing. It had pretty white flowers this spring. I can't wait until I get some fruit from it.

Ornamental non fruiting pear trees are extemely invasive, pushing out native species. It spreads like wildfire and is difficult to control. Also, they're just terrible landscape trees in general because of the acute angles their branches form which leads to them easily breaking off in a storm. They are just a weak wooded tree and have a short lifespan.

Ditto.  Cats have longer lives than Bradford pears.  The previous owner of our house planted a Bradford pear & *just* after I re-landscaped our foundation plants (which were totally shaded by the tree), we discovered it was splitting.  In half. 

Plus, their flowers stink so freaking badly. 

They are really terrible, terrible trees. Yes they are cheap.  Yes they have flowers.  These things do not make up for their downsides.

~NB~

greenbean951:

UltrasoundTechMommy:

Wow why does everyone hate pear trees so much? We planted one last year. Its a cute, skinny little thing. It had pretty white flowers this spring. I can't wait until I get some fruit from it.

Ornamental non fruiting pear trees are extemely invasive, pushing out native species. It spreads like wildfire and is difficult to control. Also, they're just terrible landscape trees in general because of the acute angles their branches form which leads to them easily breaking off in a storm. They are just a weak wooded tree and have a short lifespan.

ALL pears spread uncontrollably.