Kieffer Pear Trees Not Producing

[TheOldOak]

I have about 5 Kieffer pear trees that stand a good 15+ feet tall, 2 inches in diameter at the trunk. These have been in the ground for 5 years I believe. They look great, fully leaved out, good structure, were full of blooms. We had a late spring, but no late frost. Once again, no pears. Question, what is the holdup? Do Kieffers need a pollinator of different variety? If so, what type?

 

[catscratch]

I have a few pears that sound similar to what you describe. Not a one has produced yet. We get a lot of late freezes though so that might have something to do with it. Otherwise I just think they are too young.

 

[catscratch]

I have a few pears that sound similar to what you describe. Not a one has produced yet. We get a lot of late freezes though so that might have something to do with it. Otherwise I just think they are too young.

 

[Turkey Creek]

Kieffers are reported to be self fertile, but everything does better with a pollinator.

 

[Turkey Creek]

Kieffers are reported to be self fertile, but everything does better with a pollinator.

 

[Native Hunter]

Nothing to worry about. They will eventually fruit. It's not uncommon for pears to do that. Your worst worry is if they will actually be Kieffer or something else when they do fruit. Over the last few years I have been led to believe that 2/3 of the pear trees sold as Kieffer are something else. I have some of the fake ones myself.

Everything you read says Kieffer is self pollinating but has better crops with another pollinator. However, I wonder if anyone has ever proven this in a controlled clinical type setting. I have many different pears around my Kieffers, so I can't prove it either way.

Almost any other pear that blooms at the same time as Kieffer is a good pollinator for it. Below is a link to a chart where you can see some of them. Good luck.

http://freedomtreefarms.com/uploads/Pear Pollination Chart.pdf

 

[Brushpile]

I think they will produce next year. A young tree doesn't produce enough pears to be a draw anyway. In a few years though...

 

[Nebraskaz71]

Mines about the same age/size, never had blooms and the leaves are super yellow, hardly any growth at all for some reason this year. I think in general they need longer than expected.

 

[Fish]

My Keiffer has first pears this year. It took a while. 3" diameter and probably 15ft.
I have to think distant bradford pears pollinated it. Or it's self fertile. Light crop.