pear 'Onward'

Suitable for all training forms including cordons and fan-training. Flowers early and so at risk from spring frosts. Plant in a sunny position in moist, but well-drained soil. Needs another cultivar for pollination. Keep a weed free area of 60cm radius around the trunk. Thin fruit if necessary. Not compatible for pollination purposes with 'Doyenne du Comice'

Regular pruning required; a spur bearer. Prune cordons and other restricted forms in summer and bushes in winter. Further pruning advice: pruning new pear trees, summer pear pruning, winter pear pruning, renovating pear trees, pruning established fans

Propagate by grafting or chip budding onto a clonal rootstock for fruit; quince rootstocks are usually used. The rootstock used will affect plant size

May be attacked by aphids, caterpillars, codling moth, bullfinches, pear midge, pear blister mite and pear and cherry slugworm

Prone to pear scab. Can be affected by pear rust, brown rot, blossom wilt and fireblight