Heritage Pear Tree - Ask Extension
Hi. On my farm I have a pear tree planted by my great-great-grandparents. I estimate is about 150 years old. The pears have a unique flavor and textur...
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Heritage Pear Tree #922711
Asked December 06, 2025, 11:47 PM EST
Hi. On my farm I have a pear tree planted by my great-great-grandparents. I estimate is about 150 years old. The pears have a unique flavor and texture, and they are yummy. The tree appears to be dying. I would like to somehow extend it's life and grow offspring. I have no expertise for this. Can you help me? Or tell me where to get help? - Kate
Fremont County Iowa
Expert Response
Without knowing the cultivar, your best option will be to propagate the tree via cuttings and start a new one to replace this one.
You can take cuttings yourself - semi-hardwood cuttings tend to be the most successful. Although rooting cuttings from pear trees can be difficult. More information on this process can be found in this article: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/propagation-deciduous-trees-and-shrubs-semi-hardwood-cuttings
You can also have some success air layering a pear tree to get rooted cuttings to plant and replace your tree. More information about that is in this article: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/how-propagate-shrubs-layering#air
Grafting is typically more effective because, with good root stock selection, you can get a mature tree faster and hopefully provide some fire blight resistance. More information about grafting can be found in this article (the article is about apple trees, but the same information applies to pear trees as well). https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/whip-and-tongue-grafting-apple-trees
There are also custom grafting nurseries available to do this process for you. You can find a list of those nurseries on this page (again, it is about apples, but the info can apply to pears as well) https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/how-can-i-identify-apple-tree-variety-my-backyard#:~:text=custom%20grafting%20nurseries
--Aaron
You can take cuttings yourself - semi-hardwood cuttings tend to be the most successful. Although rooting cuttings from pear trees can be difficult. More information on this process can be found in this article: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/propagation-deciduous-trees-and-shrubs-semi-hardwood-cuttings
You can also have some success air layering a pear tree to get rooted cuttings to plant and replace your tree. More information about that is in this article: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/how-propagate-shrubs-layering#air
Grafting is typically more effective because, with good root stock selection, you can get a mature tree faster and hopefully provide some fire blight resistance. More information about grafting can be found in this article (the article is about apple trees, but the same information applies to pear trees as well). https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/whip-and-tongue-grafting-apple-trees
There are also custom grafting nurseries available to do this process for you. You can find a list of those nurseries on this page (again, it is about apples, but the info can apply to pears as well) https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/how-can-i-identify-apple-tree-variety-my-backyard#:~:text=custom%20grafting%20nurseries
--Aaron
