Pears are a bulky fruit, rich in fiber and vitamins. Once they grow to maturity they are heavy producers. This is even true of dwarf sized trees. This makes them a very convenient, space saving addition to your orchard.
Most pears are not self-fertile. This means you will want to plant at least one other variety. A reputable dealer will have suggestions on which trees to pair together. There are two different types of pears, European pears which tend to only grow in zones 5 through 8 and Asian pears which have more cold tolerance and can grow in zone 4.
European pears are what you are used to seeing in the super market produce section. They take well to being canned. Asian pears are more reminiscent of crispy apples.
Growing zone: Zone 5 to 8 for European pears. Zones 4 to 8 for Asian pears.
Time to maturity: 3 to 5 years.
Pollination needs: All pears require cross pollination.
Pruning/Thinning: Pears do better when they are pruned to an open center.
Harvest time: Most ripen from late August through September.
While Asian pears do poorly when landscaped into a living fence, European pears are quite amenable. With a little bit of patience and thoughtful pruning European pears will take quite well to living on a south facing wall or stout wooden fence. If you intend to train the tree to the wire line of a fence you will want to have strong founded posts and wires that can bear the weight of the large volume of fruit.
Because of their high sugar content pears tend to attract insects. Flies and ants all seek out the fruit looking for a good meal. The easiest solution is to spray the fruit with an organic insecticidal soap. Then it is also a good measure to spray the trunk. The soap on the trunk will slow down the advance of ants. Unfortunately you will have to reapply after each significant rain.
Long term storage options: Pears keep in the same cellar conditions as apples. They should be placed and kept in temperatures between 35 and 45 degrees, in 80 to 90 percent humidity. While there is some forgiveness in the humidity, especially during the driest depths of winter, the cold requirements are absolutely critical.
While Asian pears should go straight from the tree to the root cellar, European pears that may have been picked slightly under ripe will continue to ripen at room temperature for up to a week. After that week has passed they must go down into the cellar with all the others.
Asian pears do not take well to canning but you can sauce them like apples. European pears will take well to canning in a light syrup, so long as they are peeled, halved and the seed core is removed before canning.