OK, Tell Me All You Know About Kieffer Pear Trees!

Boleyz · #21 03/20/07, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankTheTank

I've heard reports that some pears can take 10+ years to bear fruit, but i'm hoping my Seckel will not let me down! Pear trees can get mighty big, i know a monster in a neighborhood across the way, and that thing is loaded with pears and huge! You probably didn't need to fill the holes with anything but the soil you dug out of them, atleast thats what ive learned when planting trees. Also remember a tree really doesn't have a predetermined height (maybe some of those super duper dwarf apples) so prune prune prune. Did you prune after planting? I know all my trees were pruned back to sticks when i planted, but those were bareroot.

These all had a burlap bulb of dirt on them. The instructions told all about planting them, but pruning was never mentioned, so I didn't.

Boleyz · #22 03/20/07, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky Fields

Hey.

You probably should have planted them about 10 feet back from the edge of your driveway. In 10-15 years the limbs may get hit by trucks going down your driveway.

RF

I figure that's why the good Lord made Chainsaws...

WisJim · #23 03/20/07, 07:24 AM

Kieffer pears are only good for throwing at dogs, is what old-timers have to say about the fruit quality, although they can be edible canned. There are lots of good tasting pears out there, much better fresh or canned than Kieffer. Pears can take 10 to 15 years to start bearing, and the roots and limbs from yours will probably be growing into the driveway by then. A pear tree can get close to the size of a maple or oak, 60 to 80 feet high, if left to grow.

If you prune it, which you probably need to do to keep them from growing over your driveway, be sure to sterilize your pruning tools between cuts to help prevent spread of fireblight.

Cindy in KY · #24 03/20/07, 09:17 PM

My sawed-off Keiffer is just starting to bud now, just today, I can see pink blossems coming out. The suckers on the tree are 10 ft tall, and bend way over loaded with pears every fall. Even after we cut off the top 20ft, it still makes too many pears......I'll see if I can find an old pic of ours before topping it. They are a pretty tree, just really messy.