Unfruitful Conference Tree

[imogen tate]

I have a five year old Conference pear tree which so far has not produced a single pear.
Have grown them in the past and have always had an abundance of fruit.
The tree is growing very strongly and is very healthy.
I would be grateful for any advice.

[paul]

Hi Imogen,

I was always under the impression that you had to put 2 of the same variety so that the bees can pollinate each tree.

Hope that helps

[imogen tate]

Thanks for the reply Paul.
When I grew Conference previously I did plant two trees, but my daughter, who took over the house, cut one of them down and the other still produced pounds of fruit.
I have wondered about the shortage of bees but the apple tree fruits okay.

[malcolmx]

the fact that your tree is growing well is probably why you have had no fruit this year all the energy is in leaf and wood production

you will need to prune at the dormant stage and prune to fruit buds (consult book to see what bud looks like )
you may need to dig a trench and root prune
you don't need 2 trees

[LadyElle]

Conference Pears are self-fertile (that means they will produce some fruit if grown by themselves) although they will do better if they have a pollinator. But - especially as bees can fly a long way - it should have had fruit by now.

My only guesses are that it is in a pace that is too cold (frost pocket, east facing wall etc) or that they need pruning differently.

Oh yes - that it is not a Conference at all and just has the wrong label on it.

Sorry

Laura