Temperate Fruits: Pears and Apples
You need patience to grow pear and apple trees—it may take 3-10 years for a proper harvest. The tasty and versatile fruits make up for the wait, however.
Pears and Apples typically fall under the category of Temperate Fruits.
Growing Successful Temperate Fruit Trees
Prune the branches of pear and apple trees to ensure that the trees are not overcrowded with branches. Additionally, remove dead and diseased branches and leaf matter to reduce susceptibility to disease.
When the apples and pears are still forming on the branches, pick off the smaller and more deformed fruits, so the tree can put its energy into growing the best fruits.
the vast majority of pear and apple trees do not self-pollinate. If you want a harvest, you will need at least two trees of different cultivars in close vicinity of each other, so they can be cross-pollinated.
Recipes
For a simple yet fancy pear dessert, poach pears in wine or fruit juice. Serve each poached pear with a scoop of high-quality vanilla ice cream. For a comforting apple dessert, bake a pie! Serve each slice with a scoop of high-quality vanilla ice cream.
References: Unsplash, University of Minnesota, johnnyappleseed.com
Did you know? Temperate fruits require some cold periods (dormancy) to complete their life cycle.