When is the Pear Tree Harvest Time

Harvesting

• All pear cultivars typically ripen over a 10 to 20-day period. During this time, the fruit should be hand-picked several times, as it individually ripens. Select fruit that is full-size and slightly yellow in color. Pears should be firm but not rock hard. The fruit should be easy to remove from trees when you lift it slightly to a horizontal position. The fruit should feel smooth and somewhat waxy. Seeds inside the pear will be black in color.

Pear Type and Harvest

• European, Oriental and Asian pears are the three primary types of pears grown in the United States. The European pear is, by far, the most prevalent. The Oriental pear is a hybrid that is very adaptable and less prone to fire blight than the European pear, but grittier in texture. The Asian pear, which is sometimes called the apple pear, is round and crunchy like an apple though it is in fact a pear. European and Oriental pears ripen off the tree, while Asian pears must ripen on the tree. Regardless of type, all pears ripen from August through October.

Ripening

• Pears should be harvested when mature, then allowed to ripen off the tree. If allowed to tree ripen, the fruit will become gritty and mushy. Some pears require chilling after harvest and prior to eating. Without chilling, the mature fruit of these trees will never properly ripen. This is most frequently the case with late-harvest pears, such as Bosc, Comice and Anjou pears, all of which ripen no earlier than mid-September. Store these pears at 32 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit in a refrigerator or a root cellar. The longer pears remain in storage, the shorter time they will be required to ripen at room temperature. Early harvest varieties like Aurora, Bennett and Barlett pears will ripen at room temperature without chilling.

Storage

• Pears ripen once picked and left at room temperature for 3 to 4 days. For long-term storage, place fruit in a refrigerator. Pears stored at 32 degrees Fahrenheit will cease ripening. Many pear cultivars will keep for several months if properly refrigerated at this temperature. When you are ready to eat, place the fruit at room temperature for a few days. Better, slightly faster ripening will occur if pears are wrapped in a paper bag. Discard any bruised or damaged fruit. Pears readily pick up odors from other food so avoid storing near onions or any other fragrant vegetables.