Not all pear trees produce fruit, but "Pineapple" pears (Pyrus communis "Pineapple") are one type that do. If your "Pineapple" pear tree fails to produce fruit, pollination, the tree's age or a lack of chill hours could be to blame. Identifying and solving these problems will reward you with the distinctive fruit from this tree. The "Pineapple" pear resulted from a cross of Asian and European varieties. The Asian pear genes in these pears allow them to be grown in warmer regions than European pears because "Pineapple" pears only need 200 chill hours. You can plant these trees in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9.
You need two varieties of pear tree for effective pollination of the flowers of your "Pineapple" pear, notes University of Florida Nassau County Extension. If the flowers were not pollinated, you will likely not see fruit on the tree. This could be misconstrued as the "Pineapple" pear being only ornamental. To overcome pollination problems, plant a second type of pear tree and other flowering plants in the area to attract pollinating bees to your yard.
If you have just planted a young "Pineapple" pear tree, you will not see fruit on it for at least four to five years. These early years are when the tree concentrates on growing. Any small fruits that do form during this time should be removed to redirect the tree's energy to tree growth and away from fruiting. If your pear tree is too young, just wait a few years and it should produce fruit.
If your "Pineapple" pear tree failed to fruit, look back at the previous winter. Exceptionally warm winters without at least 200 hours with temperatures between 45 and 32 degrees Fahrenheit could affect your tree's fruiting. "Pineapple" pear trees must get enough chill hours to break their dormancy once the warm temperatures return in the spring. Reduced flowering, fruiting or a delay in either or these could happen if you don't have the 200 chill hours required by "Pineapple" pear trees. Coastal areas may see 500 chill hours or fewer, according to the University of California, Davis. If you suspect a lack of chill hours from an unusually warm winter, wait until the following year when normal temperatures return.
"Pineapple" pears usually are ready for harvest in August. But once the fruit has been harvested, it will not soften as much as other pears do. The fruit itself has a high grit content, and cooking or canning slices of them cause the fruit to fall apart. The best use for "Pineapple" pears is to can them as pear butter or preserves.
- Harvest to Table: How to Choose a Pear Tree for Planting
- University of Florida Nassau County Extension: Pineapple Pear
- Texas A&M Aggie Agrilife Extension: Pears in Texas: Old Favorites
- Willis Orchard Company: Pineapple Pear
- University of California, Davis Agriculture and Natural Resource: Selecting Fruit, Nut and Berry Crops for Home Gardens in San Mateo and San Francisco Counties