Can a Bradford Pear Pollinate a Bartlett Pear?

Spacing

• With a lifespan that can range for several decades, productive "Bartlett" trees benefit from nearby "Bradford" varieties for pollen transfer. "Bartlett" pears thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 to 7, whereas "Bradford" prefers zones 5 through 9. Bees typically bob between closely spaced trees to gather nectar without expending a lot of energy. In general, do not space your two pear trees farther than 50 feet from one another. This spacing provides enough soil resources, such as moisture and nutrients, for both trees to avoid root competition as bees visit each flower. Trees planted far apart may not receive the correct pollen as bees move to other plant species that are closer.

Weather Influence

• Even with properly spaced trees, pollination is not guaranteed if the local weather conditions remain cool. Choose a sunny location for both pear trees to take advantage of the sun's warmth on clear days. Bees need warm conditions to stimulate their cold-blooded bodies as they fly. However, cool conditions lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit hinders insect activity -- a cloudy day hampers the full-sunlight location effect on pollination success.

Benefits

• With the ability to travel between 5,000 blossoms in a single day, bees allow both pear trees to be genetically diversified for strong fruit growth with high quality. Mixing pollen between trees forces poor genetics to die back while strong adaptations prevail in seeds and fruits. In addition, dense "Bradford" blossoms create a visual display for pollinators, especially since both pear varieties have very little nectar within each flower. Using stunning flowers instead of rich fragrances for pollinator activity increases your fruit yield over time.

Considering Bloom Periods

• "Bartlett" and "Bradford" trees have similar bloom periods, typically during late March and into April. It is essential to have matching flowering periods to encourage insect activity. Once fertilized, you should see ripe pears in approximately 115 days. Extremely cold or hot weather often alters blooming periods for each tree. If your "Bartlett" has a low fruit yield one year, it may be due to mismatched bloom periods during unseasonal spring weather.