[andyf75]

Hi, have recently moved and theres a conference pear tree in the garden. It has loads of fruit developing. Have read something about thinning the fruits around this time of year, but after the natural drop period.

When will fruits naturally drop and when do I do some thinning and how much?

Thanks!

[BabbyAnn]

The "natural" drop is sometimes called the "June" drop so in theory about now for those in the mid-south regions.  Truth is, as spring was so cold for so long, flowers came out a lot later than normal so the June drop may become a bit of a July drop.

You can always thin out some of the weaker fruits now if you need to and leave the healthier ones.  If still no drop, then thin out again.

[wil4025]

My tree after 3 years has never grown fruit and now it has, ive got loads on  there and some drops. Just leave nature to do its job and if still more on there, then pull off.

[wil4025]

After three years!

[BabbyAnn]

After three years!

Next year there'll be more, and thereafter the crop will get better    It takes Conference pears at least 5 years to get going proper

[allotmentann]

The reasons for thinning are to avoid heavily ladened branches from breaking under the weight of the fruit and because trees may develop a 'one year good, one year bad' routine if they fruit excessively one year. They exhaust themselves and need a year off to recover.
When thinning you can remove diseased and damaged fruit leaving the best to grow on. Thinned trees will produce the same overall weight of fruit as none thinned ones, it is just that the fruit that remains will be bigger and better.

[Sparkyrog]

There was a very old saying about pears I don't know if it still holds true ! Plant a pear for the heir 

[wil4025]

After three years!

Next year there'll be more, and thereafter the crop will get better    It takes Conference pears at least 5 years to get going proper

Thing is these where grafted, so thought they would be quicker.

[BabbyAnn]

After three years!

Next year there'll be more, and thereafter the crop will get better    It takes Conference pears at least 5 years to get going proper

Thing is these where grafted, so thought they would be quicker.

Nearly all fruit trees sold have been grafted on to a root stock 

[Mum2mj]

I have 1 pear on my 3yr old tree - I really hope it doesn't drop!!  :blink:

[wil4025]

After three years!

Next year there'll be more, and thereafter the crop will get better    It takes Conference pears at least 5 years to get going proper

Thing is these where grafted, so thought they would be quicker.

Nearly all fruit trees sold have been grafted on to a root stock 

OK thanks, cleared things up for me