Pyrus communis Onward
Onward Pear trees are a great choice by themselves and make an excellent addition to an orchard collection that already has all the famous old greats. The fruit are superb and combine the best dessert pear qualities with a touch of tangy acidity. The unripe fruit are smooth and green, turning a bit yellow as they ripen and blushing with patches of pink and russet. The flesh is very soft, juicy and smooth with a delicious sharpness hiding behind the sweetness. You can harvest your crop from September to October.
Onward's History & Parentage: Onward was bred in 1947 at Wisley from Doyenne du Comice and Laxton's Superb. It is very similar in flavour to its Comice parent.
Pollination Partners for Pyrus Onward: Your trees are self-sterile and must be pollinated by another suitable pear tree to bear fruit. Pear Tree Pollination Guide. Please note that Onward and Doyenne du Comice are incompatible for cross-pollination, as is sometimes the case with closely related trees.
Rootstocks, Growing Notes and Pruning & Planting Advice:
Onward is a hardy tree and its flowers resist late frosts quite well, so we recommend it for gardens in the North. Your trees are reliable croppers. Apart from the cordon trained plants, which are on the more dwarfing rootstock Quince C, we use Quince A for our pear trees - Quince A is fine for larger restricted shapes, like fans and espaliers. A mature tree will reach about 4 metres.
If you are unclear about fruit tree sizes, please take a look at our Guide to Fruit Tree Sizing.
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