European Pear
Conference is the pear that made Europeans famous for their fruit. Named to honor the British National Pear Conference of 1885, this French commercial classic grows with remarkable vigor and productivity, bearing enormous banana-like clusters of large yellow fruit that mature each October. Exceptionally juicy, sweet, and buttery, Conference thrives in hardiness zones 5 through 9 and reaches 12 to 16 feet tall, substantial enough to command attention in any orchard or large garden. What sets it apart is both its prolific nature and its staying power: these pears keep until January or beyond, making them as much a winter treasure as an autumn harvest.
12-15 feet apart
Full Sun
Moderate
5-9
192in H x ?in W
Perennial
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Conference is the productivity champion of the pear world, producing such heavy crops that the fruit hangs in distinctive clusters from the branches. The flesh is exceptionally juicy and buttery with genuine sweetness that makes eating one straight from the tree a memorable moment. Unlike many pears that demand perfect timing, Conference holds its quality for months in storage, and its firm texture makes it equally excellent fresh or canned. This variety is self-fertile, meaning you don't need a pollinator partner, a single tree can set abundant fruit. The fact that it was celebrated at an international pomological gathering in 1885 and remains a leading commercial variety across Europe speaks to its reliable excellence.
Conference shines both fresh and preserved. Eating one at peak ripeness, when the buttery flesh yields slightly to pressure, is a pure pleasure. The firm texture makes these pears exceptionally reliable for canning, where they hold their shape and sweetness through processing. Many European gardeners keep Conference specifically for winter eating, storing the fruit through the cold months for fresh pear enjoyment when little else is fresh. The consistency of flavor and texture also makes Conference suitable for baking or poaching, though its quality fresh is hard to improve upon.
Plant bare-root or container-grown Conference pears in early spring or fall. Space trees at least 15 feet apart to allow room for mature spread and air circulation. Plant at the same depth they were growing previously, with the graft union (if present) slightly above soil level. Backfill with amended soil and water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots.
Harvest Conference pears in October when the fruit achieves full size and the skin transitions to a warm yellow color. Unlike many pear varieties that must be picked before fully ripe, Conference can be harvested at mature firmness and will continue to develop sweetness in storage. Gently lift and twist each pear, it should release easily from the branch. Handle carefully to avoid bruising, which shortens storage life. These pears are not as fragile as some varieties and will keep well for months if stored properly.
Prune Conference in late winter while the tree is dormant, focusing on removing dead or crossing branches and opening the canopy for light penetration. This variety produces abundantly, so be selective in thinning branches rather than aggressive, Conference's heavy crops are its strength. Thin developing fruitlets in early summer if branches appear overloaded, removing smaller or damaged fruit to redirect energy into premium-sized pears.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Conference earned its name at the British National Pear Conference in 1885, where it was formally recognized as an exceptional variety worthy of celebration and propagation. Developed as a French commercial pear, it quickly became the standard by which other pears were judged in Europe. The variety's selection and naming at such a prominent horticultural gathering gave it both credibility and momentum, growers across the continent adopted it, and it remains a leading commercial pear to this day. Its longevity in cultivation speaks to a kind of reliability and quality that transcends fashion: over 135 years later, European orchardists still reach for Conference when productivity and flavor matter equally.”