How to Grow Beurré d'Anjou Pear

Beurré d'Anjou Pear

Pyrus communis 'Beurré d'Anjou'

tree

Beurré d'Anjou is a classic European pear variety known for its large, russeted greenish-yellow fruit with a buttery, sweet flavor and fine texture. The tree is vigorous and productive, reaching 15-20 feet tall and producing abundant crops with excellent cold hardiness. It's one of the most popular and commercially important pear varieties worldwide.

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Example Beurré d'Anjou Pear timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Beurré d'Anjou Pear
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Beurré d'Anjou Pear
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Beurré d'Anjou Pear dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum for optimal fruit quality and ripening

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Water: Consistent moisture during growing season; water deeply 1-2 times weekly during dry periods. Avoid waterlogging. Reduce watering in late summer to encourage fruit ripening and reduce disease pressure.

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Spacing: 200 inches

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Days to maturity: 3-4 years to first fruiting; 5-6 years for full production

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Planting depth: Plant bare-root trees at same depth as in nursery; container trees slightly higher than soil line

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with moderate fertility

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) Sulfur if pH is too high

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 4-8, with best performance in zones 5-7

4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a

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Growth Stages

Establishment

2-3 years

Young tree developing root system and framework branches, still juvenile with no fruit production

Water regularly, stake for support, prune to develop central leader or open vase structure. Remove any flower buds the first 2-3 years to direct energy to growth.

Flowering

2-3 weeks in spring

Tree produces white flowers in early spring, often in clusters. Flowers are self-infertile and require cross-pollination from compatible pear varieties.

Ensure pollinator access by planting compatible varieties nearby (Bartlett, Seckel, or Comice work well). Protect flowers from late frosts with row covers if frost is predicted.

Fruit Set & Development

8-10 weeks

Small green fruits develop after successful pollination and flower drop. Fruits grow steadily through summer, gradually increasing in size.

Thin fruits to 1 every 4-6 inches on branches to encourage larger fruit size and prevent branch damage. Water consistently during this period.

Ripening

3-4 weeks before harvest maturity

Fruit develops its characteristic greenish-yellow to golden color with prominent russet patches. Interior becomes buttery and sweet; shoulders slightly widen.

Reduce watering to concentrate sugars. Do NOT allow tree to completely dry out. Monitor for pest and disease pressure. Most Beurré d'Anjou pears ripen unevenly on the tree.

Harvest

2-4 week harvest window, typically late September to October

Fruit reaches full size but is still firm to the touch. Beurré d'Anjou pears are harvested slightly before full ripeness to prevent overripening on tree.

Pick when fruit yields slightly to pressure at the neck (opposite stem end). Store in cool location to finish ripening off-tree. Proper storage extends shelf life to 2-3 months.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Borage Yarrow Fennel Garlic Nasturtium Marigold

Avoid planting near:

Walnut trees Black cherry trees Fennel (except at tree perimeter)

Common Pests

Pheromone traps for monitoring, kaolin clay spray in spring, spinosad or neem oil applications, removal of infested fruit
Dormant oil sprays in late winter, insecticidal soap in early season, neem oil, insecticides only if populations exceed threshold
Strong water spray to dislodge larvae, neem oil, spinosad, or organic insecticides targeting young larvae
Prune infected branches 12 inches below visible symptoms, sterilize pruning tools between cuts, avoid high nitrogen fertilizer, resistant rootstocks like OHxF 333
Remove fallen leaves, fungal sprays in spring (sulfur or copper), improve air circulation through pruning, resistant varieties available

Uses

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Fresh eating and desserts

Culinary

Beurré d'Anjou pears are prized for eating fresh when properly ripened off-tree, with a buttery texture and exceptional sweetness. They excel in desserts, tarts, poaching, and cheese pairings due to their firm flesh and complex flavor profile. [source]

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Canning and preserves

Culinary

The firm flesh makes Beurré d'Anjou ideal for canning, jams, and preserves. They hold their shape well during processing and develop deeper flavors through cooking. [source]

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Digestive health and nutrition

Medicinal

Pears are high in soluble fiber (pectin) that supports digestive health and natural laxative properties. Rich in vitamin C, copper, and antioxidants that support immune function and cardiovascular health. [source]

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Natural ripening agent

Household

Pears release ethylene gas during ripening, making them useful for ripening other fruits stored nearby like avocados and bananas in paper bags. [source]

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Pollinator and wildlife support

Wildlife

Pear blossoms provide abundant nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators in early spring. Fallen fruit provides food for birds and other wildlife. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest Beurré d'Anjou pears when they reach full size but while still firm; they should yield slightly to pressure near the neck. Harvest in September to October before full ripening on the tree to prevent deterioration of texture. Pears ripen best and develop sweetest flavor when allowed to mature off-tree in cool storage (50-60°F). Check fruit regularly during storage as ripening can accelerate suddenly. Cut fruit with pruning shears rather than pulling to avoid damage.

Fun Facts

🌱 Beurré d'Anjou pears were first cultivated in Anjou, France in the 1840s and remain one of the most important pear varieties in commercial production worldwide.
🌱 Unlike most fruits, pears do not ripen well on the tree due to ethylene production being suppressed; they must be harvested mature but unripe and ripened off-tree for optimal flavor and texture.
🌱 Beurré d'Anjou trees can live 50+ years and remain productive, with some heritage trees over 100 years old still producing excellent fruit.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Pollination Row Cover

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