Conference is the most widely-grown pear variety in the UK. It crops heavily and reliably, and will grow in most situations. It is also the leading commercial pear variety in Europe, with the Netherlands being the biggest producer.
Conference is self-fertile, and a good pollinator for many other pears.
A home-grown Conference pear, picked just before it is fully ripe, has an excellent flavour that should not disappoint.
Conference was developed by the Rivers Nursery of Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, in the second half of the 19th century. It is thought to be a seedling of a continental variety called Van Mons Leon Leclerc. It was named after the National British Pear Conference held in 1885.
Conference pear identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Conference
The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.
Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Offspring of this variety
Sports of this variety
Sports are natural genetic mutations of the original variety.
Visitor reviews
Tree register
United States
- Jessica Klein in Maple Valley, WASHINGTON
United Kingdom
- Reach Community Orchard in Cambridge,
- Reach Community Orchard in Cambridge,
- Reach Community Orchard in Cambridge,
- Reach Community Orchard in Cambridge,
- Ak in Macclesfield, ENGLAND
- Alan Mills in Kilmarnock, AYRSHIRE
- Alex in Scourie, SUTHERLAND
- Alice in Barnstaple, DEVON
- Andrew Freeth in TAVISTOCK, DEVON
- Arthur Thomas in NEATH, NEATH AND PORT TALBOT
- Bill Barker And Sharon Cherry in Smeeton Westerby, LEICESTERSHIRE
- Billy Auger in Hopton Wafers, SHROPSHIRE
- Brian Heaney in NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, TYNE AND WEAR
- Carol Doyle in ST IVES, CORNWALL
- Christopher in Lydd, KENT
- Claire in LANCASTER, LANCASHIRE
- Colin Bowen in LONDON,
- Craig Lawrence in Wakefield,
- Daniel Mills in FISKERTON, LINCS
- David Scarle in NOTTINGHAM,
- David Styles in Hove, EAST SUSSEX
- Deborah Kaufmann in Hyde,
- Deborah Kaufmann in Mossley,
- Deborah Kaufmann in Stalybridge,
- Euan Cameron in LARBERT,
- Fabien Guilmineau in Marlow, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
- Gayturner in Derby, -- PLEASE SELECT --
- Graeme Stockdale in Pilsley, Chesterfield, DERBYSHIRE
- Graham Tibble in Southampton, HAMPSHIRE
- Graham Tibble in Southampton, HAMPSHIRE
- Ian Crook in Edinburgh, LOTHIAN
- Ian Dimery in Ripon, NORTH YORKSHIRE
- James Kidd in Hightae, DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY
- James Kidd in Hightae, DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY
- John Back in Shanklin, ISLE OF WIGHT
- Julie Quantrill in INVERURIE, ABERDEENSHIRE
- Kate in Penrith, CUMBRIA
- Mark Blagden in Croston, LANCASHIRE
- Mark Blagden in Croston, LANCASHIRE
- Mary Fielding in LEDBURY, HEREFORDSHIRE
- Mike Wicken in Camberley, COUNTY (OPTIONAL)
- Mohammad in NEWCASTLE, TYNE AND WEAR
- Natasha Surridge in Rustington, WEST SUSSEX
- Pamela in Bressingham, NORFOLK
- Paul Mason in CARBIS BAY, CORNWALL
- Peter Revell in Hemel Hempstead, HERTS
- Philip Babey in SOUTHAMPTON, HAMPSHIRE
- Ron Bell in MELROSE, SCOTLAND
- Sedgie in SALTBURN BY THE SEA, NORTH YORKSHIRE
- Shane Emmerson in WARWICKSHIRE
- Tamas Geleta in UCKFIELD,
- Vin Heron in EAST TORRINGTON, LINCOLNSHIRE
- Wayne Seagate in Watlington, NORFOLK
France
- Ian Masheder in Buis Les Baronnies, DROME
Ireland
- James Munro in Westport, COUNTY MAYO
- Sean Cremin in NEWCASTLE WEST,
Poland
- Sebastian in Krakow, MALOPOLSKA
New Zealand
- Robert Mcbride in TAPANUI, OTAGO
Spring blossom records for this variety
2025 season
- 7th April 2025 - tree owned by Wayne in Watlington, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Origins
- Species: Pyrus communis - Pear
- Parentage: Seedling of Van Mons Leon Leclerc
- Originates from: Sawbridgeworth, England, United Kingdom
- Introduced: Late 19th century
- Developed by: Rivers of Sawbridgeworth
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1973-199
Identification
- Awards: RHS AGM (current)
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Period of origin: 1850 - 1899
- Fruit colour: Green - light
- Leaf colour: Green
- Popularity: Best sellers
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
Using
- Picking season: Mid
- Keeping (of fruit): 2-3 weeks
- Flavour quality: Average
- Cropping: Heavy
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Picking period: mid-September
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Flowering group: 3
- Pollinating others: Good
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Average vigour
- Precocity: Precocious
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Growth habit: Upright
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Self-fertility: Self-fertile
Climate
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Climate suitability: Mild damp climates
- Climate suitability: Warm climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
- Cold hardiness (RHS): H6 (to -20C)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cold (< 20C / 67F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Average
- Scab (Apple and Pear): Some resistance
- Fire blight: Some susceptibility
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Conference pear trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Conference pear trees - Thomas Fruit Trees (EU) France
Conference pear trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Conference:
United Kingdom
England - north
- Saddleworth Orchard, Saddleworth
References
- Fruit Expert
Author: Hessayon - The Book of Pears (2015)
Author: Morgan
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