Apples and pears are closely related, but there are many differences between apples and pears in the fruit garden.

• pear trees usually live longer than apples.
• pears are fussier than apples when it comes to site.  They do not like wind, but need the sun, which is probably why they were usually grown against walls.

picking-pears

• pears do better on heavy soils than apples, but pears will not grow well on light soils.
• pears flower a couple of weeks before apples, so are more prone to frost damage.
• pears suffer more in a drought than apples.
• pears are healthier than apples – not suffering from as many pests & diseases as apples.

apple-basket

• pears only store for a few weeks, whereas apples will store into April.

It is lovely to be able to grow apples and pears in the garden, but it is important to realise that there are differences in their requirements.