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Looking to purchase 6 to 8 trees preferably 4 to 6 feet tall. Any suggestions on where to look here in WI? Would I have to order them now for next spring? Would fall planting be better than spring if possible? Any help would be appreciated.
If anyone can help with advice in how to get pears of the trees in north central WI it would be appreciated.
Mike F's Link
I know Wallace Woodstock has pears. Be sure to plant disease resistant, then you don't have to spray.
Also, make sure the pears you want to grow are winter hardy for your growing zone.
Woodstock would be my choice to buy from. Have bought lots of fruit trees from them over the years.
Spring is much better time to plant fruit trees, or any trees for that matter. You can order bare root stock at reduced prices mid winter and have them shipped to you at the appropriate time. With potted trees the roots get intertwined and if you don't tear them apart they strangle each other over time. Tearing the root ball apart adds stress to the tree. (although waiting till fall minimizes that risk) With bare root you can spread the roots out and point the strongest roots into prevailing winds.
Thanks guys will give them a call. In my research it seems the Kieffer pear is the most winter hardy as well as disease resistant which also makes them the longest lasting. They also ripen and drop fruit in mid to late October which would be ideal. Also they adapt and do well in all soils and amount of sunlight although full sun is best and are very fast growers. My problem with them is they grow to 20 to 30 feet in height and 20 feet round. That's a big tree and could shade out the area I just worked my butt off cleaning out. On the other hand the dwarf only grows 6 to 8 feet which would be destroyed with the high deer numbers in this area. Anyone with any experience growing them in central WI? Maybe they do not grow that big this far north plus on a rocky ridge with suspect soil.
You only let them grow as tall as you want them to be. Pear trees require a lot of pruning. I chopped 10 feet of my 5 pear trees this spring and they are still a little too tall. They are Parker and Patten and are located about even with a line between Appleton and Lacrosse. They have a tendency to grow vertical sprouts that you want to keep under control to encourage horizontal shape. But leave one vertical as that slows down the urge for the hormones in the tree to send up more upright branches. When that one gets big cut it off and let a new vertical sprout grow.
Not sure if Kieffer will pollinate among each other but something to check on before you buy.
Jeff thanks for the tips, I'm taking them all in for when I actually purchase my trees but also when and where I plant them. I talked to a nursery guy who has confirmed what I thought that these trees will be much closer to 15 feet in my region than 25 or 30 more south. When I googled Kieffer pears they were advertised as self pollinaters. However I am thinking of planting a Orient Pear in between them just in case.
Jeff,
I found a huge pear tree on the property and I am wondering if I can "top" it without causing much damage? I am not sure of the variety.
Thanks
When I toped mine many years ago it generated LOTS of new vertical chutes, not only at the cuts but all over the place. So just be prepared to do more maintenance over the next several years. Don't cut flat, slant the cut so water runs off it a little easier. Wouldn't hurt to put some tree paint on any big cuts too.
By the way, the 10+ feet I cut off this spring were chutes that grew straight up after I toped it several years before that
Jeff-
Thanks. I will do that this winter and use the wood in the smoker.
We just bought fruit trees from Stark Bros. We purchased them in late May and got a great deal because it was the end of the season. I think we paid $5 for bare root Macintosh and maybe $15 for a self pollinating pear tree.
They have great costumer service from what I hear. A friend purchased a few trees last year and one didn't make it through the winter. She called them and sent her a new one, no questions asked.
General rule is to not remove more then 1/3 of a tree when pruning. Winter pruning is preferred to keep disease to a minimum. Summer pruning often has less response from the tree (water sprouts....).
You may have to cut back the tree over a few years.
I ordered "wildlife" pear and crab apple trees from Mossey Oaks Native nurseries last winter. I paid 45 or 50.00 for 8 pear and 8 crab trees. They have done very well so far. I would have ordered more, but this was a first time order from them so I wanted to see the quality. Being that they are located in the south, they also were great about not shipping until I could plant in the spring. They were also a lot of help with my questions/worries about heartiness this far north and planting questions.