Williams Pears

[thomasb]

Hi All,
I panted some pear trees 2 years ago and there are a number of fruits on them this year. One tree is a Williams pear tree and the other is Conference pears.
I am wondering when one should pick Williams pears. There are down in the catalogues for picking August/September.  In this months Kitchen Garden magazine there was an article about apples and pears. In this article the author said he never let Williams pears ripe on the tree as they go over ripe very quickly.

Therefore, the information I hope you can help me with.
Do you grow Williams pears?
When do you pick them?
Do you ripen them inside?

Thanks,
Thomas

[thomasb]

[Robert_Brenchley]

I just leave them till they're ready to fall off then eat them. I've never had more than a very few though as that tree is one of several that don't flourish. I've discovered it's down to weak root systems (I didn't know anything about trees when I bought them), so I'm going to cut them right back this autumn and give them a chance to develop more roots instead of putting what energy they have into fruit.

[thomasb]

Thanks for that Robert,
This is the first year I have pears on this tree as I only planted it 2 years ago.  There is 9 pears on it this year. I am trying to train it as a upright cordon. I hope to get more in future years.

Thomas

[saddad]

I put in a Beth and Conference as Minarettes about ten years ago and I think this year might make a worthwhile crop.... Pears are really difficult to store I find... I would process a glut into freezable dishes...
???