Pear and Apple Trees Do Not Fertilize Each Other
Question
I had two ‘Flemish Beauty’ pear trees that I bought last year. One has died and the other is doing well. Should I buy a second one to facilitate pollination? Can having two apple trees nearby replace the dead pear tree?
Answer
Most pear trees are self-sterile, which means that they do not accept their own pollen, but require pollen from another cultivar to produce fruit. Note that I said another “cultivar” (variety). It is not enough to plant two pear trees of the same cultivar: these are identical clones and will therefore be self-sterile.
However, your pear tree is an exception to the rule. Pyrus communis ‘Flemish Beauty’ is partially self-fertilizing. In other words, even if there are no other pear trees in the vicinity, it will produce some fruit. However, to get a good harvest, you will need another cultivar. ‘John’ and ‘David’ are two cultivars that are hardy enough for our region, while ‘Ure’ and ‘Early Gold’ are extremely hardy pear trees and are highly recommended in cold regions. Beware of ‘Bartlett’ and ‘Anjou’: these two cultivars are commonly sold, but they are not hardy enough for for most of Canada and tend to suffer terribly in winter. An exceptionally well-protected location is needed to be able to grow them successfully.
Before deciding on a choice, make sure that the two pear trees flower at the same time. Otherwise, pollination will simply not take place.
The distance between the two trees also influences pollination and the quality of fruiting. Even if pollinators can travel several kilometers, you will have much more success if the two specimens are less than 30 meters apart. The closer they are, the more pollination there is… and the more fruit you will harvest!
Finally, as for your last question, no, an apple tree cannot fertilize a pear tree, nor vice versa. The two are very close relatives, but not close enough to successfully exchange pollen.
Lawn Ravaged by Voles
Question
This is the second time that I have discovered strange tunnels on my lawn when the snow melted. They look like tunnels dug into the grass. What can I do to repair the damage and prevent it from happening again?
Answer
These are tunnels formed by voles (field mice) and made up of grass leaves that they have collected. Despite the surprising appearance of these tunnels when the snow melts, in fact, they have little impact on the lawn, which generally grows back very well, as its base is rarely affected.
When the ground is dry enough to do so, gently rake the lawn to remove the clumps of leaves. If you think the voles have completely removed the grass in some sections, reseed the bare areas.
To reduce the problem in the future, when you do the last mowing of the fall, cut the grass very short at the end of the season to discourage the voles.
Larry Hodgson published thousands of articles and 65 books in his career, in French and English. His son, Mathieu, has made it his mission to make his father’s writings accessible to the public. The text on pear trees was originally published in Le Soleil on April 9, 2005, and the one on voles was published on March 9, 2009.
voles are not harmful they eat grubs that grow in your grass.
Regarding voles, I would add that it’s important to clean up debris around your property and especially in the veggie garden. I’ve found vole families living under a small bit of cardboard caught in the corner of the garden. Anything that gives them shelter should be removed from areas where veggies – especially root veggies! – are grown.