When summer scorchers are hanging on into fall, who wouldn’t want a pear tree in their backyard? Pears can be harvested in New Jersey from August to December, which means you can have a delicious and nutritious snack ripe for the picking nearly half of the year.
There are two types of pear trees: fruiting and ornamental. Growing a fruiting pear tree takes a little more work, and a lot of looking up. These trees can grow up to 40 feet. If you’re not all that interested in having your own homegrown pears, you might consider an ornamental pear tree instead. Ornamental pear trees trade juicy pears for showy flowers—and do still grow smaller fruits (which you won’t want to eat). It’s just a matter of which tree interests you most. Regardless, most pear trees prefer full sun.
Did You Know?
A newly planted pear tree will bear fruit after three to five years. Talk about eating the fruit of your labor!
Other Fun Facts About Pear Trees
- There are more than 3,000 different types of pears in the world.
- People have been eating pears since as far back as 1000 B.C.
- Ornamental pear trees will often have tinges of light green in their bark, a unique touch from Mother Nature.
- Some ornamental pear trees, such as the Winter Glow, bloom in the colder months.
