Wildlife
- Pollinators
Bees pollinate the spring blossoms, and deer and other wildlife eat fallen fruit.
Ships bare root
Mature plant shown. Yours ships dormant and bare root.
What arrives
1 dormant bare-root plant, about 2–3 ft tall
- No leaves, no pot, no soil. Roots packed moist.
- Ships in your zone's planting window.
- Leafs out about 4–8 weeks after planting.
tree · edible
European Pear
Pyrus communis
- Ships 2–3 ft tall
- 1 plant, bare root
- Zones 5–8
- Grows 20–30 ft
$9.95Was $14.95Save 33%
5.0 out of 5 · 1 reviewsThe quick answer
European pear is a fruit tree for USDA zones 5-8 that grows 20-30 feet tall and 12-20 feet wide as a standard tree. It needs full sun and well-drained soil. Buy it for home-grown pears, usually starting 4-6 years after planting; you need a second pear tree nearby for fruit.
When it ships to you
Zone scheduleHow many?
This plant needs a partner. Needs a second pear tree that blooms at the same time, such as another seedling pear or a different pear variety, planted within about 50-100 feet; apple and crabapple trees will not pollinate pears.
Expert recommendedPollination partners we sell
Planting a hedge or row?
Free shipping on orders $75+$75
Healthy deliveryOr we replace it
Shipped dormantTimed to your zone
1-year warrantyStore credit, terms
European Pear plant profile
Mature size20–30 ft tall · 12–20 ft wide
Typical (20 ft)Up to 30 ft
Upright tree with a tall, narrow to pyramidal crown.
USDA hardiness zones5–8
Sun & growth
SlowMediumFast
Needs full sun for good flowering and fruit. Fruit in about 4–6 years.
SoilpH 6.0–7.0
4 acidic6.59 alkaline
Well-drained soil that is not overly rich; pears tolerate heavier soil better than apples.
Edible harvestPlant two or moreYellow fall color
Flowers & fruit
- Fruit in 4–6 yrs
- Edible
Clusters of white flowers in mid spring are followed by pears that ripen in late summer to fall. Pick when mature but firm and ripen indoors.
Leaves & fall color
Yellow in fall. Glossy, dark green oval leaves turn yellow in fall.
Pests & disease
Fire blight is the most serious disease. Pear psylla and codling moth are the main insect pests.
Pruning
Prune in late winter to keep an open center and remove crossing or damaged limbs. Cut out fire blight well below infected wood, disinfecting tools between cuts.
Pollination
One European Pear won't give you much of a crop. Two will.
European pear needs cross-pollination from another pear that blooms at the same time, carried by bees. Plant two pears within about 50-100 feet; apples and crabapples will not work. Shipping on one plant is $9.95 and on two it's $10.95, so the second plant adds just $1 in shipping.
Bare root vs potted
Skip the garden-center markup.
Garden centers buy young plants, pot them, grow them another season and mark them up. We ship yours dormant and bare root, timed to your planting window.
Bare root, from us$9.95ships dormant
Example: 3-gal potted American hazelnut$70–$140online retail prices checked Oct 2026
A year with your European Pear
SPRINGWhite blossoms in mid spring; bees need a second pear in bloom nearby.
SUMMERFruit sizes up; watch for fire blight on new shoots.
LATE SUMMERPick pears mature but still firm and ripen them indoors.
FALLLate varieties harvested; leaves turn yellow.
Questions people ask about European Pear
Do pear trees need a pollinator?
Yes. Plant a second pear that blooms at the same time, such as another seedling pear or a different variety, within about 50-100 feet; apples will not pollinate pears.
How long until a pear tree produces fruit?
Pear trees average 4-6 years to first fruit, and standard-size trees can take longer than dwarf trees.
When should I pick pears?
Pick European pears when they are mature but still firm, then let them ripen indoors. Pears left to ripen on the tree turn gritty and soft in the center.
What is fire blight on pear trees?
Fire blight is a bacterial disease that makes shoots look scorched and can kill limbs. Cut infected wood well below the damage and disinfect pruners between cuts.
How tall does a standard pear tree get?
A standard (non-dwarf) pear grows into a tall, narrow tree, typically 20-30 feet in a home landscape.
What does the pear tree look like when it arrives?
It ships as a dormant, leafless bare-root tree about 2-3 feet tall. Soak the roots and plant it as soon as possible.
Plant it in 4 steps
- Soak the roots in cold water overnight before planting.
- Dig twice as wide as the roots; plant at the depth it grew.
- Water, then mulch. No fertilizer the first season.
- Plant its partner nearby.
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