How to Grow Concorde Pear
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Concorde Pear
Pyrus communis 'Concorde'
treeConcorde is a premium European pear variety known for its exceptional sweetness, buttery texture, and excellent flavor when ripe. It is a medium-sized tree with attractive form and good disease resistance, producing heavily and reliably in suitable climates. The fruit stores well and develops complex flavor after ripening off the tree.
When should you plant Concorde Pear in your zone?
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Example Concorde Pear timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Concorde Pear
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Concorde Pear
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-8; requires moderate winter chill (400-900 hours below 45°F)
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Get my Concorde Pear timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment (Years 1-2)
2 yearsYoung tree develops primary framework. Minimal fruit production. Vigorous shoot growth.
Remove flowers first year to direct energy to root and branch development. Stake for support. Water regularly. Thin competing leaders; select strong central leader or modified central leader form.
Early Bearing (Years 2-4)
2-3 yearsTree begins producing fruit. Scaffold branches establish. Tree reaches 60-70% mature size.
Continue structural pruning. Thin fruit clusters to 1 pear per cluster when 1 inch diameter to ensure large fruit size. Begin annual pruning routine in winter while dormant.
Flowering (Spring)
2-3 weeksWhite to pale pink fragrant blossoms appear in clusters on spurs. Flowers are self-incompatible; cross-pollination required.
Ensure compatible pollinator variety is within 100 feet. Protect from late spring frosts which damage blossoms. Provide bee-friendly environment. Do not prune during flowering.
Fruit Development (Summer)
90-120 daysPear fruit develops from fist-sized to full maturity (3.5-4 inches). Fruit is firm and green, ripens off-tree.
Thin fruit to 1 per cluster or 6 inches apart for premium sized fruit. Water consistently but avoid saturating soil. Monitor for pests and diseases. Mulch to maintain soil moisture and regulate temperature.
Harvest & Ripening (August-September)
2-4 weeks harvest windowFruit matures to full size while still firm and green. Reached harvest maturity when seeds turn brown and fruit separates easily from spur.
Harvest when mature but still hard (not tree-ripe). Store at 32-40°F for 2-4 weeks before allowing to ripen at room temperature. Handle gently to avoid bruising. Proper storage allows complex flavors to develop.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use pheromone traps for monitoring; apply carbaryl or spinosad sprays at petal fall and 10-14 days later; promote beneficial parasitoid wasps
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Prune infected branches 12 inches below visible symptoms during dry weather; sterilize tools between cuts; apply copper bactericide or streptomycin during bloom; choose resistant rootstocks (Pyrodwarf, Old Home)
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Insecticidal soap or spinosad in early summer when slugs appear; encourage natural predators; water spray to dislodge larvae
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Dormant oil spray in late winter; spinosad or neem oil during growing season; horticultural oil; manage with predatory mites
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Prune for air circulation; apply sulfur or captan fungicides starting at bud break through fruit development; rake and remove fallen leaves; choose resistant varieties when possible
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Neem oil or spinosad sprays; row covers on young trees; encourage predatory birds
Uses
Premium fresh eating and desserts
CulinaryConcorde pears are prized by chefs and food enthusiasts for their exceptional buttery texture, intense sweetness, and complex aromatic flavor when properly ripened. They are ideal for eating fresh, in elegant plated desserts, or paired with cheese and wine. [source]
Poaching and cooking
CulinaryThe firm flesh holds its shape well during poaching in wine or syrup, making Concorde pears excellent for elegant cooked desserts, preserves, and traditional recipes like poires belle Hélène. [source]
Fruit production for markets and storage
CulinaryConcorde's excellent storage life (8-12 weeks under refrigeration) and high market value make it commercially important. It ships well and develops better flavor after cold storage than many other pear varieties. [source]
Traditional nutrition and digestive health
MedicinalPears including Concorde are rich in soluble fiber (pectin) and have been used traditionally to support digestive health and gentle laxative effects. They contain antioxidants including quercetin and catechin. [source]
Pollinator and wildlife support
WildlifeThe fragrant spring blossoms attract bees and other pollinators early in the growing season. Dropped fruit and orchard ecosystem provides food for various bird and mammal species. [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 in late August to early September when fruit reaches full size but remains firm and hard (not soft); test by gently lifting fruit—it should separate easily from the spur when mature. Concorde pears must be picked green and tree-unripe. Store at 32-40°F for 2-4 weeks to allow ethylene development and complex flavor compounds to form. Allow 5-7 days at room temperature (68-72°F) immediately before eating to achieve optimal soft, buttery texture and peak flavor. Properly stored fruit keeps 8-12 weeks.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Concorde pears were bred in 1894 by Victorian pomologists using Comte de Lamy and Conference parent varieties in Berkshire, England, and remain a favorite of royal households and top restaurants.
- 🌱 Unlike most pears, Concorde must be harvested while still hard and firm, then stored in cool conditions for 2-4 weeks to develop its signature buttery flesh—this off-tree ripening process concentrates sugars and complex flavors.
- 🌱 Pear trees including Concorde are among the longest-lived fruit trees, often producing quality fruit for 40-60+ years with proper care, making them valuable multi-generational orchard trees.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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