Planting a pear tree

• What's the biggest it could grow to

I have recently planted a comice pear and although I bought a very dwarfing rootstock I was reading that they could get to 30' in height unless you specifically choose a good, small variety!!  :blink:

• What should I do to prepare the ground for planting

I prepared my ground just by digging a big hole; larger than the root area by 1' all round and about 2' deep, and then filled the hole with just under a foot of well rotted manure then a sprinkling of soil to create a barrier between the roots and manure and then put the pear in.  Didn't put a stake in the ground because I wanted it to 'stand on it's own roots!'

• Any pests to look out for

not sure about this....  need to look it up in a book

• How can I encourage it to fruit?

I think just looking after it as normal; ie manure in springtime; grease bands etc to keep the moths off.

Thank you both - off to get me shovel & manure then 

If it doesn't fruit this year then I'll have to buy it a girlfriend 

Just wondering how much shade it will cast - this is going to change my planting plans a bit as i hadn't allowed for shade at all !

Ah well - planB or is it C ? - here we come!