Do Pear Trees Produce in Southern California?

Chill Hours

• Many fruit trees require a certain amount of winter cold to flower and bear fruit. This is measured in winter chill hours -- the number of hours below 45 degrees Fahrenheit required for fruiting. Most of the low elevation areas of Southern California receive less than 500 hours of winter chill each year, though the mountain regions receive more. Only plant low-chill varieties of pear adapted to grow in these areas. In some areas, such as San Diego and Imperial counties, there are fewer than 100 hours each year of winter chill, and you probably won't be able to grow pears.

Irrigation and Soils

• As diverse as Southern California's climates are, the region is generally arid. Rainfall is scarce in the inland deserts, and in most other parts get less than 20 inches per year, mostly in the winter. Pears need supplemental watering in all areas of Southern California to survive and produce fruit -- at least once per week while getting established. Soil types vary widely, but there are large areas of alkaline soil in the desert areas that are not conducive to growing pears, unless you spend a lot of effort amending the soil.

Microclimates

• Southern California has a few microclimates that favor pear production and other microclimates where it's almost impossible. Coastal areas are so mild in winter that even low-chill varieties may not get enough hours of cold to set fruit. The conditions of the inland desert areas are often too harsh for pears, unless they are planted in a sheltered garden and heavily nurtured with water, wind protection and soil amendments. Valley and foothill regions near the coast are usually favorable for pears, though you'll still need to use low-chill varieties.

Varieties

• The "Kieffer" pear is self-fertile, tolerates heat well and only needs 200 to 300 hours of winter chill. It is a late-season pear good for canning and preserves and is resistant to fireblight. The "Hood" pear has the lowest chilling requirement of any variety, needing only 100 to 200 hours. It can be pollinated by "Flordahome," a high-quality pear for eating fresh that needs fewer than 400 chill hours and ripens early in the season. The "Southern Bartlett" pear is a low-chill version of the classic "Bartlett" variety, requiring about 400 hours of winter chill.