Top 15 columnar pears: description of the best varieties, how to plant correctly in the fall and how to care

History of columnar pear breeding

The ancestor of the modern columnar pear was a dwarf variety, which was bred by the English breeder Knight Vert. Russian scientists used pollen from southern domestic varieties and the most productive American dwarf species from England as a basis. As a result, very interesting low trees (0.8-1.3 m) with a densely leafy, rounded crown were obtained.

Such small crops were planted at a distance of 1.2-1.5 m. They annually produced a stable yield of 3-8 kg per tree. The crops turned out to be early-bearing, the first fruiting begins in the second year.

Columnar species do not require special care. They need to follow the classic procedures: watering, pruning, fertilizing.

Columnar species do not require special care

Popular varieties

The columnar type of pear has its own popular varieties, which are most often found in gardeners' gardens.

Doyen do Comis

A pollinator is required and excess ovaries are removed. In mid-July, the tree drops some of its fruit on its own. Pear is characterized by early ripeness and high taste. The fruit is covered with a thin yellow skin.

Dwarf pear Dalicor

The height of the tree is 2 m. The pear has a column-shaped crown, the upper shoots are flattened at the ends. The fruits are large, up to 350 g, and ripen throughout the season. Every year the yield increases. It is highly resistant to diseases and pests.

G-322

This variety is still in development, so it does not have a common name. It is early ripening and frost-resistant. The fruits are large, up to 400 g. They have a sweet taste, thick skin, and granular pulp. Painted yellow. Harvest in September.

See also

Description of the Moskvichka pear variety, agricultural technology and the best pollinators

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Tenderness

Autumn variety. The fruit is medium in size, about 160 g. They are covered with a thin, dense skin of green color with a yellow tint. The pulp is dense, grainy, beige. The tree's yield is average. They grow no more than 1.5 m in height, which allows you to place many plants in the beds.

Autumn Dream

Winter-hardy variety, suitable for growing in Siberia and the middle zone. Productivity is average. The fruits are large, about 200 g. The skin is light yellow. The pulp is dense and juicy. Harvesting takes place in the fall.

Sapphira

The tree begins to bloom in autumn. It reaches a height of 2 m. It produces large fruits, yellow-green in color. The pulp is juicy, dense, granular. The tree is resistant to scab and other fungi. It does not tolerate frosts well. Designed for cultivation in the middle zone and in the south.

Severyanka

Winter-hardy pear, suitable for northern regions. Tolerates temperatures below -38 °C. The fruits ripen in 90 days. The fruits are medium in size and have a pleasant sweet taste. The tree is low and compact.

Tenderness

Fruit ripening occurs in autumn. Suitable for growing in the south and temperate climates. The fruits are medium-sized, up to 170 g, covered with thin, dense yellow skin. The taste is slightly sour, suitable for fresh consumption and processing.

Decor

An unpretentious plant, it has a strong immunity to fungal diseases. Self-fertile pear, does not require a pollinator for cross-pollination. Gives high yields, the fruits are large, covered with a thin peel. The pulp is juicy, grainy, sweet.

Pavlovskaya

A late variety, grows about 1.5 m in height. It has compact branching. Fruiting begins in the second year of planting. Widely used in landscape design due to its attractive appearance.

Botanical description

Columnar pears are ornamental fruit trees belonging to the Rosaceae family and the Pear genus. In many ways, the culture is practically no different from its larger relative. The main difference is in the size of the trees and the shape of the crown. The first columnar trees appeared in the gardens of Transcaucasia and Central Asia.

Dwarf trees can be planted in small gardens.

The trees are deciduous, their height does not exceed 2.5 m. The plants are compact, with a thick main trunk. Many people mistakenly believe that this culture has no branches. In fact, they exist, but they are short and located along the trunk.

If the shoots grow too much, they are cut off. Visually, these pears resemble columns. The leaves are large, wide, the surface of the plate is glossy and bright, dark green.

In spring, fragrant flowers appear, which are collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences. The fruits are juicy, large, weighing 300-400 g.

Carmen

Trees of the Carmen variety are easily recognized by the color of the fruit, which is quite rare for pears: during the period of consumer ripeness, they acquire a brownish-red color. The skin is dry, of medium density. The taste of the fruit is sweet and sour, there is no astringency. The shape is regular, short pear-shaped, medium size. The pulp is quite juicy, semi-oily, creamy white in color. The fruits have good transportability. The frost resistance of trees of the Carmen variety is average.

Productivity

The yield of columnar pears is stable and good. From one tree, depending on weather conditions and variety, at least 2.5-8 kg is collected.

Stable fruiting continues for 10-15 years. Then every year the harvest becomes smaller until we disappear completely.

From one tree, depending on weather conditions and variety, at least 2.5-8 kg is collected

Therefore, it is important to first take care of updating the garden by planting new seedlings. And the old ones are left for a while as decoration for the site.

Fruit characteristics

The fruits ripen on short branches that cover the entire trunk. A characteristic feature of columnar pears is that they are larger fruits. Weight can reach 400 g.

The fruits ripen on short branches that cover the entire trunk.

The fruits are characterized by juiciness and unique taste. Keeping quality depends on the characteristics of the variety and the ripening period.

How to prepare a pear for winter?

Columnar pears are frost-resistant, but young trees need preparation.

Important! Trees need to be protected only with dry materials. It is imperative to ensure that there are no small rodents (mouse, shrew, etc.) infested.

Dry sawdust, straw or pine branches are suitable for protection from frost. Hares love the bark of trees, especially conifers. If you surround a young tree with spruce (pine) branches around the trunk, this will protect it from rodents.

Adhering to simple rules, unusual columnar pears will provide delicious fruit for at least 1.5 decades.

Advantages and disadvantages of columnar pear

In general, columnar trees differ little in care from traditional pears. But this plant has a number of positive qualities that often make you choose them.

Pros:

• compactness of plants, they take up little space on the site;
• early fruiting (first fruiting occurs 2-3 years after planting);
• high yield rates (from one tree you can collect from 3 to 8 kg);
• the fruits are large and juicy;
• columnar pear varieties are characterized by resistance to pear diseases and pests;
• young seedlings take root well on any soil;
• ease of care;
• resistance to winter frosts.

Sapphira

Winter-hardy pear variety. The tree is dwarf. The fruits are pear-shaped, greenish-yellow in color with a red blush. The pulp is juicy, aromatic, and pleasant to the taste. Plants tolerate severe frosts well and are not susceptible to most diseases.

Planting and growing

For many, columnar pears are still unfamiliar crops, so you should prepare well before planting. It is important to choose the right place in the garden, as well as decide on the variety. The rules for planting and care are not very different from growing traditional tall varieties.

Deadlines depending on the region of disembarkation

Planting is planned for spring, when the buds begin to swell. In autumn, there is a high probability that the root system will freeze, since it is superficial.

Planting periods differ depending on the region, since even in neighboring areas weather conditions differ significantly:

• In the middle zone, the most suitable period is mid-April - early May. For example, in the Moscow region and Moscow region, snow melting ends by this time. By the fall, after planting, the trees will get stronger and will withstand the winter well.
• In the Urals and other northern regions, planting is carried out only in May.
• In the south, trees are planted in April. Autumn planting is also practiced here.

They begin work after the soil in the garden has warmed up to a temperature of +5 ° C

Planting is planned for spring, when the soil in the garden warms up to a temperature of +5 ° C

Site selection and preparation

Columnar pears are not particularly demanding. It is important for the plant that there are no drafts or wind in the area. Since even an adult tree is not large in size, a young seedling can simply break due to gusts of wind.

For one plant, 50-60 cm is enough, so even the most secluded place will suit it.

Columnar varieties are often used for decorative purposes; they are often used to make hedges.

Soil composition

Plants are also not very picky about the composition of the soil. The pear bears fruit even on calcareous soils. But trees show the best yield and growth rates in fertile areas.

The higher the fertility and quality of the soil, the faster the plant adapts and takes root.

Soil preparation begins in the fall if planting is planned for spring. The area is dug up using approximately 2 shovels. Humus is added to the soil to increase fertility. Weeds are removed from the soil, leveled and left until spring.

Soil preparation begins in the fall: the area is dug up, humus is added to the soil

Illumination

Pear grows best in well-lit areas. For planting, choose the southern part of the garden, where there are no drafts.

Other fruit crops with the same fruiting and flowering period will be the best neighbors. They will become excellent pollinators, which will increase yields even for self-fertile varieties.

The size of the planting hole and the seedling planting scheme

The pit for planting is prepared in advance. It is dug to a depth and width of about 60 cm.

The top layer of soil that remains when preparing the hole is not thrown away. Humus, compost, and organic fertilizers are added to it. This nutrient composition is then used for planting.

Columnar pears do not have long lateral shoots, but they still maintain a distance of 1-1.25 m between individual seedlings, and a distance of 40-50 cm is left between rows.

When planting, leave a distance of 40-50 cm between rows

If the distance is less, the crops may lack light and nutrients, which will negatively affect the yield. If trees are too close to each other, diseases spread between them much faster.

Features of the root system and planting technology

Another distinctive feature of columnar pears is the root system. It grows horizontally and is located close to the soil surface. This is taken into account when landing.

Work algorithm:

1. 2 buckets of water are poured into the prepared planting hole.
2. Leave the hole until everything is absorbed.
3. A wooden stake is inserted in the center, which will become a support for the young seedling.
4. Install the seedling, carefully straightening the roots.
5. Prepared soil is poured on top in several layers. Each one is compacted so that no voids are formed.
6. The young tree is watered from above (consumption per seedling is 4-6 buckets).

Scheme for planting a columnar pear seedling
After planting, the near-trunk part is hilled up or mulched. The young seedling is fixed near the support.

Columnar pear care

In order for the cultivation of crops to end successfully, it is necessary to follow the traditional rules of agricultural technology: fertilizing, watering, sanitary pruning, disease and pest control, preparation for winter.

Loosening and mulching

Since the roots are located too close to the surface, regular loosening is carried out with great care, trying not to damage the plant. The procedure is carried out after each watering or rain, so that a crust does not form from the soil, which will reduce the supply of oxygen to the root system.

You can reduce the rate of weed emergence by adding an additional layer of sawdust or straw mulch. The protective layer will also prevent the rapid evaporation of moisture from the ground.

Trimming

For proper growth, columnar trees require proper and timely pruning. The quality and growth rate of the pear depend on the proper formation of the crown. The more shoots that are pruned, the faster it will grow.

With proper care, the growth of the crown is at least 10-15 cm, and about 2-3 side branches also appear.

They try not to touch the handler when cutting. It is shortened a little if the plant grows slowly.

For proper growth, columnar trees require proper and timely pruning.

Pollination

Most dwarf pears are self-sterile. Therefore, it is necessary to plant other trees next to them to form fruits. They will act as pollinators.

Since trees bloom profusely during the growing season, artificial pollination is difficult. If other varieties of pears with a similar flowering period are located nearby, they will become excellent pollinators.

Fruit load

Flowers appear on young trees immediately in the first year. But you shouldn’t leave them, as the plant needs to gain strength and prepare for the first winter. They are all removed.

The next year, if the young tree is strong enough and has gained strength, about 10-15 flowers are left. Each subsequent year the number of ovaries increases.

An important factor is the size of the pears. If too small pears form on a tree, then it simply cannot withstand the load of the harvest. Next year, the gardener needs to normalize fruiting.

Watering

Watering is one of the most important rules of agricultural technology. Pear loves regular moisture. But overwatering can also lead to rotting of the roots and death of the tree. Mature trees need to be watered several times per season:

• before buds open;

Be sure to water the tree before buds open.

• during flowering;
• during the period of fruit formation;
• after harvest;
• before winter.

The consumption for each tree is 40-60 liters of water. It is poured into the trunk area in a thin stream so as not to erode the root system.

Feeding pears

For good growth, dwarf trees require regular, timely feeding. When the young tree gets stronger and takes root, nitrogen-containing fertilizers begin to be applied from the second year. Water with a nutrient solution (add 10 g of urea to 2 liters of water).

Fertilizers are applied for the first time in early spring, when the first true leaves begin to appear. After 2 weeks, feeding is repeated. After another 2 weeks, repeat fertilization.

In the first half of summer, urea is replaced with an infusion of mullein or slurry:

• Mullein or slurry is added immediately, mixed in a 1:1 ratio. For each tree, 1 liter of nutritional composition is consumed.
• If bird droppings are used, it must first be infused. They fill half the container with it, and fill everything with water on top. The composition is left for 14 days. Stir occasionally. For each seedling, 0.5 liters of nutritional composition is consumed.

In September, root fertilizing with nitrogen is stopped, since the plant may not have time to prepare for dormancy.

In autumn, nitrogen-containing compounds are replaced with complex mineral fertilizers, in which phosphorus and potassium predominate. You can prepare a nutritional composition from 10 liters of water, 40 g of superphosphate and 20 g of potassium chloride.

In autumn, trees are fed with mineral complexes, in which phosphorus and potassium predominate.

Preparing for winter

Despite the fact that most columnar pears have good winter hardiness, in the middle climate they require additional protection.

Shelter is a must for young seedlings, since their root system is not yet strong enough.

To prepare for winter, it is necessary to carry out several basic agricultural practices:

• All dry leaves and fruits after they fall are removed from the site and burned. This will protect the trees from pests and pathogens that like to overwinter in dry residues.
• At the end of autumn, the trunks are whitened with a special composition based on lime or chalk. This additional layer will protect the bark from frost damage that occurs during sudden changes in temperature.
• The tree trunk circle is covered with a layer of mulch made from sawdust or straw. Its thickness must be at least 20 cm.

Additionally, the first few years after planting, pears are protected by apical buds. Plastic bags or other insulation materials are placed on the shoots.

Snow is an excellent insulator. If possible, after it falls out, artificial snowdrifts are created around the trees.

To protect against rodents, the trunk is wrapped in paper and spruce branches. Roofing material is suitable for such purposes.

To protect against rodents, the trunk is wrapped in paper or spruce branches.

Reproduction

Gardeners choose ready-made seedlings from nurseries for planting. And they, in turn, can be obtained by two methods of propagation: cuttings or grafting.

Vaccination

The most common scion option for obtaining a dwarf pear is quince or serviceberry. Vaccination is carried out in early spring, after the growing season begins. By this time the frost should have passed.

In order for the vaccination to quickly adapt, it is performed in the middle zone only at the end of April - beginning of May.

When making a scion, certain rules are followed:

• Perform the procedure early in the morning or in the evening. A cloudy day is also suitable.
• Cuttings are harvested in winter, when the weather is dry outside.
• To perform the procedures, sharply sharpened instruments are used. They are pre-disinfected.
• For grafting, scions of at least 70 cm and no more than 80 cm are selected.
• After the operation, the grafting site is wrapped with electrical tape and then treated with garden varnish.

Grafting can be done in 3 ways: by lifting the bark, into a split, or by making a side incision. This cutting takes about a month to take root.

Pear grafting methods

Seeds

Propagation by seeds for a columnar pear is possible, but breeders do not recommend using this option. There are several reasons:

• The process of planting seeds is very long and labor-intensive. Sometimes it takes several years to obtain a young seedling.
• Producing a columnar pear with seeds is not possible for all species. Only a few varietal dwarf crops are suitable for such propagation.
• The resulting new trees will not always have the desired properties of the parent crops.

There is a high probability that the plants will not have parental properties.

By cuttings

Trees aged 2 or 3 years are suitable for taking cuttings. By this point they should have at least 2-3 internodes. Cut cuttings 30 cm long. They are placed in a root solution for 48 hours. This will help speed up the process of root system formation.

The cutting is placed in water until small tubercles (the rudiments of the root system) appear at the base. The cuttings are buried in the ground and wrapped in polyethylene. The soil is mixed with peat or sphagnum. This composition will help provide the plant with nutrients.

The cuttings are dug into the ground and wrapped in polyethylene.

What rootstock to graft a pear onto

The most basic rootstock in the Urals and Siberia is the Ussuri pear. Thanks to this rootstock, it becomes winter-hardy here. However, in the European part of Russia there will be no talk about winter hardiness.

Limonka and Tonkovetka are perfect for additional rootstock.

In the Belgorod and Kursk regions, forest pear is used for rootstock. It is frost-resistant and is also well compatible with the columnar pear.

We must remember that it is necessary to engraft in the spring, before flowering begins. Stable weather is also an important factor. If it is warm during the day and cold at night, young shoots may freeze. It is necessary to plant in sunny weather, in the absence of wind.

The most important thing is that the trees have compatibility. Only young shoots should be grafted; old shoots will be of no use.

The best option would be to graft a wild pear. This is due to the fact that wild trees have greater frost resistance and endurance.

Be sure to prepare a place for the rootstock; there should be no debris or weeds nearby. The pear must be healthy.

How to graft a columnar pear? There are four grafting methods; you can always choose the most convenient one for yourself: budding, under the bark, in a split and with a bridge.

The most important thing is that there is proper, responsible care for the pear.

By following all the rules, you will be able to grow a huge harvest in your garden or garden, which will delight you, your loved ones, as well as many people around you.

Diseases and pests

Despite their strong immunity, columnar pears can also be affected by various diseases. When the first signs of infection appear, they try to determine the cause as quickly as possible, and then immediately begin treatment.

The most common pear diseases:

Trees can also suffer from pests that can destroy the crop almost completely. The most dangerous for pears are:

• fruit gall midge;
• green and umbrella aphids;
• pear sucker;
• mite.

Trees with strong immunity are least affected. Therefore, proper care is the most important preventive protection.

Additionally, to minimize the likelihood of pests and diseases, you should follow simple rules:

• Several times during the season the crown and shoots are sprayed with a urea solution.

Several times during the season the crown and shoots are sprayed with a urea solution.

• Every autumn they rake up all the fallen leaves and burn them.
• If you plant mint, lemon balm, and tobacco next to the trees, then these crops will repel pests with their aroma.
• In autumn, tree trunks are covered with whitewash.

With proper care and compliance with all the rules of agricultural technology, you can practically not encounter pests and diseases during the growing period.

Possible difficulties during cultivation

Often, when growing columnar pears, gardeners are faced with the fact that young trees do not grow or develop. In most cases, this is due to errors in care.

The most common problems:

• Watering too often. As a result of stagnation of water, the roots begin to rot and the plant dies.
• Incorrect trimming. If you do not follow the rules for crown formation, the trees will not look like columns.
• High soil acidity. In such conditions, plants develop and bear fruit poorly.
• The presence of chlorine in fertilizers. Pear reacts negatively to this component. If it is present in the fertilizer, the tree will stop growing.
• The fruits are small in size. Most often this is due to the fact that there are too many ovaries on the tree. Next year, at the beginning of flowering, some should be removed.

If the fruits are small, then there are too many ovaries on the tree.
As you can see, most problems can be solved by simply adjusting the care of the trees.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of dwarf pear varieties are:

• small area for growing;
• unpretentiousness of seedlings to soil acidity and density;
• rapid onset of fruiting time;
• large yields in relation to the area occupied by the plant;
• several possible methods of reproduction;
• the ease of preserving trees in winter, which gives the plants a small height.

The main disadvantage of dwarf trees over true columnar trees is the mandatory annual formation of the crown, which prevents its branching and thickening, which would lead to a lack of sunlight for the fruit.

Reviews from gardeners

Svetlana, 48 years old, Kirov

I have a small plot, and placing large trees on it is problematic. But for several years I did not dare to buy a columnar pear. After landing I was satisfied. I was pleased with the first harvest.

Victor, 54 years old, St. Petersburg

I have been growing columnar pears for many years. I’m already used to the capriciousness of plants. I came to the conclusion that it is necessary to monitor the level of soil moisture first of all. Since the root system of trees is superficial, therefore, forgetting to water the trees once can destroy the crop.

Olga, 36 years old, Moscow region

I have 6 trees growing on my plot. During the growing period, I realized that they should not be overfed. If you add too much humus to the soil, the columnar pears will begin to fatten, and fruiting will begin several years later.

Columnar pears are fruit crops with an original appearance. Sometimes they are the only solution, especially if the area is very small and it is not possible to grow a classic tree. The plant requires careful care. But it consists in the classic implementation of simple agrotechnical procedures.

Are you interested in columnar pears? Would you like to try growing them on your site? Share your opinions in the comments.

Soil preparation

The soil should be prepared in advance, add 3-4 kg of organic fertilizers per hole.

Dig a small hole for planting so that the rhizome fits in the soil, and the place for grafting the pear is above the soil. Superphosphates or fertilizers with potassium, well mixed with the soil, should be placed in the planting hole. After such preparation, you can plant the tree, then water it well.

When adding organic matter to the soil, fertilizers must be separated from the roots of the tree, sprinkled well with soil, taking into account that it sags.

Pear roots are weak, so it is not recommended to use mineral fertilizers when planting seedlings. The tree may develop poorly or even die.